This report is the result of a three-year research program. It describes the chemical character of cellulose ethers as a general class of polymers and establishes an approximate ranking of the relative stability of each generic chemical subclass. Ranking the thermal stability of the polymers with respect to color change and loss in degree of polymerization led to the conclusion that as generic chemical classes, methylcellulose and carboxymethylcellulose appear to be the most stable of the cellulose ethers. Water-soluble ethylhydroxyethylcellulose apparently also possesses good stability. Of questionable long-term stability are hydroxyethylcellulose and hydroxy- propylcellulose. Ethylcellulose and organic-soluble ethylhydroxyethylcellulose proved to be of poor stability, potentially undergoing marked changes in twenty years or less under normal museum conditions. An important additional conclusion reached here, as well as in an earlier investigation, is that considerable variations in stability can occur within a generic chemical class from differences in the basic raw material, a natural product from plants, which is not a uniform, manufactured, chemical substance. Further variations can exist due to different manufacturing processes or commercial sources. Hence, commercial products must be evaluated individually to determine the most stable of a given generic type. Nonetheless, the authors believe the conclusions expressed here to be valid with regard to the relative stability of the generic chemical classes of cellulose ethers.

This report attempts to isolate and separately examine each of the factors known to lead to cellulose nitrate decomposition, and then relate their contribution to the instability of the polymer when it is used as a bonding agent for ceramics and as a lacquer for metal objects. These factors include deterioration caused by heat, radiation, or acid impurities, or through the loss of plasticizer. There is, moreover, decomposition caused autocatalytically by the initial breakdown products. In particular, the publication examines new information on chemical changes under ambient conditions that has been developed recently through advances in analytical procedures such as chemiluminescence, X-ray scanning spectroscopy (ESCA), and more sophisticated viscometry. This new information will be added to the large body of data, collected over the past 150 years, on the instability of cellulose nitrate under more severe conditions.

This series presents current research being conducted under the auspices of the Getty Conservation Institute.An overview of research from 1984 to 1994, including environmental controls in museums, the use of protective materials and analyses in the conservation of cultural objects and archaeological sites, and the use of new technologies for monitoring, documentation, and analysis.

This book presents a review of research on the use of epoxy resins as consolidants for sculpture and buildings. It deals with both the methods and materials used by conservators, focusing on a detailed chemistry of the materials as well as the practical methods of application. Epoxy resins have been widely used as structural adhesives to repair cracks in commercial and historic buildings, but the application of this technology to the stabilization of fragile stone has generally failed. However, the proper formulation of epoxy systems with solvents has solved problems of viscosity, penetration, crust formation, and discoloration, leading to two different schools of treatment detailed in the publication. Conservators in Europe have concentrated on the treatment of statuary and isolated sections of structures, with alcohol solutions of the resins maintained in contact with the surface for a period of time in order to get deep penetration. In the United States, treatment has focused on stabilizing entire structures or major portions of buildings by spraying them with acetone solutions of epoxy resins. The various techniques of application are discussed and evaluated. The book seeks to provide an expanded inventory of these different techniques allowing the conservator to make informed judgments.

Conservation of Easel Paintings, Second Edition provides a much-anticipated update to the previous edition, which has come to be known internationally as an invaluable and comprehensive text on the history, philosophy and methods of the treatment of easel paintings. Including 49 chapters written by more than 90 respected authors from around the world, this volume offers the necessary background knowledge in technical art history, artists’ materials and scientific methods of examination and documentation. Later sections of the book provide information about the varying approaches and methods for treatment and issues of preventive conservation, as well as valuable reflections on storage, shipping, and exhibition. Including exciting developments that have taken place since the last edition was published, the book also covers new techniques of examination, especially MacroXRF scanning and Reflectance Transmission Imagery. Drawing on research presented at recent professional conferences, information about innovative methods for cleaning modern and contemporary paintings and insights into modern oil paints is also included. Incorporating the latest regulations and understanding of health and safety practices and integrating theory with practice throughout, Conservation of Easel Paintings, Second Edition will continue to be an indispensable reference for practicing conservators. It will also be an essential resource for students taking conservation courses around the world.

The impetus for this book was the desire to systematically organize the extant literature on the conservation of cultural property made of wood, from its beginnings before the Christian Era to the year 2000. Various published reviews and monographs, including Holzkonservierung (Wood Conserva tion) published by the senior author in 1988, have appeared over the years, especially in English and in German. They have provided exemplary treat merit of individual areas or aspects of wood conservation, but a comprehen sive, up-to-date exposition of historic and current developments has been lacking. The diverse professional fields of the authors, as well as their insights into methods of conservation and restoration of wood artifacts in Europe, North America, and Asia provided a solid basis for the success of this under taking. One of the goals during the examination of the literature was that not only well-known conservators and scientists from countries that are leaders in wood conservation should be represented, but that less well-known, often not as readily accessible contributions should also be included. Only in this manner was it possible to draw a comprehensive picture of the national and international state of wood conservation. The Art and Archaeology Technical Abstracts (AATA) of the Getty Institute were very helpful in our efforts to evaluate as many publications as possible.

At the Mogao grottoes, a World Heritage Site near Dunhuang in the Gobi Desert, generations of Buddhist monks created hundreds of rock temples. Nearly five hundred of these grottoes remain, lined with painted clay sculptures and wall paintings that depict legends, portraits, customs, and the arts of China over a one-thousand-year period. This volume of symposium proceedings marks the culmination of the first phase of the Getty Conservation Institute’s collaborative project with the State Bureau of Culture Relics of the People’s Republic of China and the Dunhuang Academy.

This teaching guide covers the identification, deterioration, and conservation of artifacts made from plant materials. Detailed information on plant anatomy, morphology, and development, focusing on information useful to the conservator in identifying plant fibers are described, as well as the processing, construction, and decorative techniques commonly used in such artifacts. A final chapter provides a thorough discussion of conservation, preservation, storage, and restoration methods. This is a valuable resource to conservators and students alike.

Cellulose-Based Graft Copolymers: Structure and Chemistry discusses the synthesis, characterization, and properties of multifunctional cellulose-based graft copolymers. Presenting the contributions of accomplished experts in the field of natural cellulosic polymers, this authoritative text: Offers an overview of cutting-edge technical accomplishmen

This book presents the proceedings of the “CoMa 2013: Safeguarding Image Collections” international conference held in Brussels, on 31 October 2013, and offers the reader not only a wide variety of subjects relating to the preservation of image collections, but also an overview of the different professions and practices involved in the preservation of photographic heritage. The proceedings contain some practical examples illustrating how CEN regulations and generally accepted standards can be translated into daily management. Moreover, they transcend a purely scientific debate by also questioning the value and meaning of image collections, and by offering a base for anyone dealing with photographs to think about their long-term preservation. Divided into four sections, the proceedings provide the reader with an overview of: 1) Theoretical questions relating to the meaning, value and impact of photographic collections; 2) Some examples of collection management practices, storage and exhibition of photographs; 3) Results of scientific research concerning the stability of photographic supports and their conservation treatments; 4) Digitization practices of image collections and new tools to assign content and value to historical photographs. In addition to traditional conference papers, the book also includes essays on the future of photographic collections, written by established restorers and art historians.