Retouching matt contemporary paint layers: a new approach using natural polymers

Abstract

Different painting techniques, materials and application methods that characterise contemporary artworks, with predominantly matt surfaces and uniform tones, make retouching one of the most complicated conservation treatments, since sameness is the main target. The retouching intervention carried out at the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea in Rome on Tempi prospettici (1969), an installation by the Italian artist Carlo Alfano, gave the opportunity to investigate a method to obtain different matt/glossy values through the use of natural polymers as binders. The binders chosen (different polysaccharides, cellulose derivatives and isinglass) were analysed, both individually and mixed, through colorimetric and glossmetric measurements. The pigment-binder ratio and the addition of silica to get a modulation of the matt appearance of paint formulations were also evaluated. The comparation of the colorimetric values of painting samples and those of the original paint led to the identification of the best solution for the retouching of the artwork

Keywords

• etouching matt contemporary paintings
• colorimetric measurements
• carbon black
• plastic laminate
• natural binders
• sturgeon glue