On the stability of mediaeval inorganic pigments: a literature review of the effect of climate, material selection, biological activity, analysis and conservation treatments

• Published in: Heritage science Vol. 5; no. 1; pp. 1 - 25
• Main Authors: Coccato, Alessia, Moens, Luc, Vandenabeele, Peter
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 29-03-2017; Springer Nature B.V; SpringerOpen
• Subjects: 4th International Congress on Chemistry for Cultural Heritage; Acetic acid; Art works; Biological activity; Biological effects; Biological materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Copper pigments; Cultural heritage; Cultural resources; Degradation; Discolouration; Legibility; Literature reviews; Materials Science; Materials selection; Object motion; Organic compounds; Pigments; Relative humidity; Review; Smalt; Stability; Ultramarine; VOCs; Volatile organic compounds; Degradation; Arsenic sulphide pigments; Ultramarine; MEMORI project; Vermillion; Discolouration; Pigments; Smalt; Copper pigments; Lead pigments
• ISSN: 2050-7445; 2050-7445
• DOI: 10.1186/s40494-017-0125-6

This review is to be considered part of the development of the MEMORI dosimeter, to evaluate the impact of climate (relative humidity, temperature, illumination, etc., including volatile organic compounds) on moveable objects. In the framework of the MEMORI project, Ghent University was given the task to assess pigment degradation upon acetic acid exposure, and to collect information on pigments’ stability. Moreover, to obtain a wider knowledge on the stability of common pigments, the effect of a variety of parameters was reviewed from literature. Discolouration and degradation of pigments significantly alter the legibility of polychrome works of art, so that the development of monitoring methods to ensure the preservation of cultural heritage objects is of primary importance.