This book is a reprint facsimile of the manual originally published in English in 1940, based on the first 'International Conference for the Study of Scientific Methods for the Examination and Preservation of Works of Art', held in Rome in 1930. This congress can be seen as one of the most significant dates in the history of conservation. The manual is a seminal work, both for its intrinsic value and the influence it has had and still has on the museum and conservation worlds.
List of contributors
Foreword
Part One: Conservation
General principles applying to the conservation of paintings in museumsf
Methods of investigation applied to the examination of pictures
General methods of examination applied to pictures
Special methods of examination applied to pictures
Methods applied direct to the pictures
Special methods applied to samples taken from pictures
The surroundings
The action of light on paintings
Effects of candle smokes and certain methods of heating
Reactions of the constituent parts of paintings to humidity and temperature changes
Heating and air conditioning
Local protective and precautionary measures
Protection against fire
Transport and packing of paintings
Part Two: Restortation
General principles concerning the restoration of paintings
Maladies and treatment of the varnish layer
Composition of varnishes
Maladies and treatment of varnishes
Removal of varnishes
Methods of varnishing
Dulling of varnishes
Maladies and treatment of the paint layer
Composition of the paint layer
Media
Pigments
Changes in the paint layer
Changes due to the structure of the paint layer
Changes due to the support and ground
Deterioration due to the varnish layer
Deterioration due to accidental causes or previous interference
Treatment and restoration
Gold ground - gilding
Maladies and treatment of the ground
Maladies and treatment of canvas
Texture, characteristics, properties
General measures of protection
Care and treatment
Local repairs
Relining
Transfer
Maladies and treatment of wooden supports
Destruction of wood parasite
Repairs, consolidation, transfer
Large cracks, crevices. Cross-Battening
Warping
Blisters, plaking of the paint and ground. Plywood and transfer
Other deteriorations
Other supports
Appendices
Practical recommendations:
Hygiene of premise
Dusting and cleaning of pictures
Exhibition material
Restoration
Bibliography of studies published in the review Mouseion on the conservation and restoration of paintings:
Scientific examination of paintings
Conservation of works of art
Hygiene of pictures galleries
Exhibition material
Fire prevention
Packing and transport
Technique of the restoration of pictures
Table of colours
Index
