An approach to cleaning methods and materials for painted alabaster

Abstract

This research is aimed to obtain a deeper understanding of the chemical properties of painted alabaster sculptures as well as some of their ageing mechanisms in order to design cleaning protocols which take into account the particular changing nature of these dynamic and complex systems.Materials and some chemical properties (pH, conductivity and water solubility) of the case studyhave been characterised. Glass slides as well as mock-ups were elaborated and aged on alabaster, wood, and linen, with similar film forming materials as those that have been found in the case study.

Keywords

• pH
• conductivity
• water
• sensibility
• polychromy
• alabaster