Cmop

Presentation

It has been observed that the 20th and 21st-century oil paintings were presenting a range of challenging problems: formation of vulnerable surface "skins" of the medium on the paint surface, efflorescence, unpredictable water and solvent sensitivity etc. There was a lack of understanding of the nature of change in modern manufactured artists’ oil paints. It means that established empirical approaches to conservation treatments such as surface cleaning did not apply to a great number of works.

In this light, this project's aim was to make a significant impact on our understanding of the reasons behind these alarming problems by exploring several aspects of paint formulations (oil lipid fraction, pigment-medium interactions, additives);-, and case study works of art.

Those explorations have guided the development of surface cleaning systems that were more appropriate for use on the increasing numbers of unvarnished oil paintings in international and private collections.

New cleaning systems have been trialed on works of art in several internationally significant public collections.

This information has been disseminated via web platforms, seminars, conferences and a documentary for the general public.

The cleaning systems have been introduced via existing courses and workshops/seminars aimed at practising conservators and conservation students, thereby offering practical solutions to current and future conservators facing these difficult challenges.