Academic thesis

Andrea Kappes: Optical examinations of surface changes caused by varnish reduction – Conservation of two oil paintings from the 17th and 18th century of the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna Back
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Abstract: The visual impact of yellowed varnishes quite often necessitates varnish treatments. This diploma thesis deals with natural varnishes, their functions, material components and ageing behaviour in particular as regards to mastic. Furthermore the history of varnish-treatments and its conventional methods with respect to varnish treatments with the organic solvents ethanol and isooctan on cotton swabs will be discussed. On the canvas painting “Rückkehr von der Jagd” by August Querfurt (around 1750), images by reflecting- and UV- light as well as gloss and colour measurements serve as documentation and evaluation of the varnish-treatment. Additionally to the above mentioned methods, imaging of surface topographies by scanning electron microscopy plus images by a digital light microscope on test paint samples and a fragment of a baroque painting are showing the surface changes at the microscale that are due to varnish reductions carried out with different solvent mixtures.
The results indicate that homogeneous varnish reductions by using cotton swabs soaked with organic solvents are not possible.

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Details:
  • academic institution: Universität für angewandte Kunst Wien
  • kind of theses:  Diplomarbeit
  • main Tutor:  Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr. Gabriela Krist
  • date:  2010
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