The cleaning of a work of art often involves removing not only dirt and grime but also unwanted layers of varnish, gilding, and paint from the work's surface. The challenge for conservators lies in finding a cleaning agent that will act on one layer without affecting the layer being preserved and without leaving any harmful residues on the cleaned work. This book, which examines gel cleaning in the treatment of paintings and painted works of art, presents the methodologies, data, and results of a collaborative project of the Getty Conservation Institute and Winterthur Museum. Among the issues covered are the theory and application of gel cleaning systems, the detection of residues left on the surfaces of objects cleaned with these systems, research into solvent-gel and solvent residues, stability of surfactants during natural and artificial aging, and recommendations for formulating gels for specific cleaning tasks.

This book contributes significantly to the selection of appropriate and controllable cleaning methods for varnished and unvarnished paint surfaces. It is a distillation of many years' experience of formulating a cleaning treatment for any given object. The general principles of the chemistry and the practical applications are described. The methods are applicable to the surface cleaning of both traditional and modern paint media found on sculptures, ethnographic materials, paintings, gilded surfaces and furniture. Aqueous methods are certainly worth considering for those surfaces which cannot be cleaned safely by methods based on solvents.

Los 20 artículos y 19 resúmenes extendidos presentados en la conferencia se incluyen en esta publicación, agrupados en cuatro categorías: ética, estética, formación y documentación; medios tradicionales: Tempera de huevo y aceite; Pinturas modernas; y Sistemas de limpieza. Dentro de cada categoría, los artículos y los resúmenes están agrupados por el tema específico que tratan. Todos los artículos y resúmenes incluidos en esta publicación han sido revisados. El objetivo de La conferencia consistió en proporcionar un foro de intercambio de conocimientos y producir una publicación que reúna las últimas investigaciones. En los diversos estudios se abordan los problemas que afectan a las pinturas. Estos van desde la suciedad normal hasta la eliminación de barnices envejecidos, desde el efecto de los disolventes sobre las pinturas hasta los cambios posteriores en su comportamiento mecánico. La limpieza de pinturas sin barnizar es uno de los temas más críticos que se discutió. Finalmente, diferentes técnicas de limpieza, tales como geles, jabones, enzimas, líquidos iónicos y espumas, así como varios métodos secos y láseres, se analizan en diversos documentos y resúmenes extendidos.

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.