Micro-fading spectrometry: an ivestigation into display of traditional watercolour pigment in anoxia

In this work a novel micro-fading instrument has been developed that has increased structural stability, hence increasing the portability over previously reported instruments of this type. Using this instrument several new experimental methods have been developed and applied for the investigation of the photosensitivity of painted samples and coloured works of art (with particular focus on the effects of anoxic housing). The colour fading and reversion behaviour of a traditional Prussian blue pigment ground in gum Arabic was investigated for the first time in 0%, 2%, 3.5%, 5%, 10% or 21% oxygen concentrations. Results from this investigation indicated that the previously reported deleterious effects of reduced oxygen concentrations (hypoxia) for Prussian blue may only become relevant at oxygen lower levels (beginning at an hypoxic oxygen level above 2% and below 3.5%). An extension of the investigation to a large sample set of Prussian blues indicated that relatively low concentrations of oxygen (around 5%) may be tolerated by Prussian-blue containing works of art.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

phd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Nottingham Trent University

Year dc:date.issued

2011

Author dc:creator

• Lerwill, AJ

Language dc:language

en