Academic thesis

Neumann Andreas: back

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Abstract: The baroque‐style figures of saints made of alabaster could be the three‐dimensional rendition of
the founders of Benedictine or Cistercian order. The unknown artist probably created his work in
about 1700. The sculptures show an extensive range of historical tool traces. Fortunately, the
condition with regard to existing damages is not as extensive as those, whereby it was the aim of
the restoration to reduce the soiling on the surface.
Tests of some cleaning technologies were discussed and compared with other scientific works.
There is no generally‐applicable cleaning procedure for alabaster, because painting surfaces and
polishes are given to a lot of art works like these and that fact needs to be considered.
Nevertheless, there are possibilities to clean this stone successful, like e.g. the laserbeamtechnology
or steam‐jet cleaning with satisfactory results. In future these methods have to be
analysed more precisely. The relationship between the sensitively responding material and the
acting pollutants has to be observed in the future. Or rather the closer look at localisation of dust
in the crystalline structure of alabaster. Because the act of cleaning that implies the solvent of
impurities has to be justified, if there is a "metamorphic" relation.
Another important point is the confrontation between the artwork and the degree of cleaning as
to the result to be achieved. The historical and aesthetic statement must be in balance. Because
the cleaning procedure should be stopped at this point, were patina occurs.

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Details:
  • academic institution: FH Erfurt
  • kind of theses:  Bachelorarbeit
  • date:  2011

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