The monitoring of the environmental conditions of the inside of the Chapel of Teodolinda is part ... more The monitoring of the environmental conditions of the inside of the Chapel of Teodolinda is part of the general restoration and conservation project of the wall paintings of the Zavattari. The acquisition system of SILIDATA AD2 (by the firm Silimet s.r.l. in Modena) was used; various stations were assembled in series for a total of 22 sensors (18 internal and 4 external). The monitoring, lasting approximately 18 months, has revealed the notable influences that the external environment has on the internal. The repeated and excessive variations in humidity, after all other causes were excluded, are attributable to the large apsidal windows. In essence, the rapid hygrometric movements, especially in descending peaks, are similar to those of almost direct air movements. The data gathered must be compared with the fusion point of the various salts present in the intonaco in order to decide upon the direction that an eventual restoration will take.
The ‘Porta del Paradiso’ by Lorenzo Ghiberti, also known as the ‘Gates of Paradise’, will soon be... more The ‘Porta del Paradiso’ by Lorenzo Ghiberti, also known as the ‘Gates of Paradise’, will soon be unveiled to the public after undergoing lengthy conservation. This project is at the stage where it is necessary to define environmental criteria for the long-term display of the doors. In this paper, three possible methodologies for display of the doors are considered: a showcase purged with nitrogen; a showcase with low, controlled relative humidity; an open showcase with a controlled microclimate. Galvanic sensors were used inside the cases to continuously monitor the macrocouple current of the doors and establish which case provided the most stable environment for display. Results to date indicate that the showcase with low, controlled humidity may offer the best solution for long-term display of the doors.
The relief of the Madonna and child with an angel attributed to Donatello is composed of wood, ca... more The relief of the Madonna and child with an angel attributed to Donatello is composed of wood, canvas, polychromed gesso, metal and gilded leather. After its restoration it had to be conserved inside the climatically unstable Bardini Museum. A case was made from plexiglass and its atmosphere conditioned using silica gel.
Opd Restauro Rivista Dell Opificio Delle Pietre Dure E Laboratorio Di Restauro Di Firenze, 1993
Art-sorb, a relatively new product in Italy, is compared with silica gel as a stabilizer for rela... more Art-sorb, a relatively new product in Italy, is compared with silica gel as a stabilizer for relative humidity in art storage environments. Empirical testing resulted in the conclusion that Art-sorb was undoubtedly superior to silica gel not only in humidity absorption but also in ease of use and ease in concealing the product from view. -- AATA
The necessity for controlled microclimatic conditions for the good conservation of cultural prope... more The necessity for controlled microclimatic conditions for the good conservation of cultural property is stressed. Many restoration problems stem from poor environment; conservation should be stressed over restoration. Recommended values for illumination, temperature, and relative humidity are tabulated.
The purpose of the study was to discover the behaviour of painted wooden panels when subjected to... more The purpose of the study was to discover the behaviour of painted wooden panels when subjected to rapid changes in ambient humidity. The reactions (in particular warping and shrinkage) of five samples when subjected to sudden hygrometric stresses were studied. The final experimental data led to a number of important observations on shrinkage and warping coefficients of painted wooden panels. In particular, the absolute necessity of spreading a protective substance on the backs of the panel paintings was stressed in order to ensure good conservation.
The measurement of indoor climate in heritage buildings can provide valuable sources of data need... more The measurement of indoor climate in heritage buildings can provide valuable sources of data needed for an optimal use and management of the works of art exhibited inside. It is a fundamental technique to evaluate environmental damage and degradation processes, to support the protection, conservation and preservation of works of art, improving the quality of museum environments. This is particularly important when the old buildings have special architectural and historical value. In most cases, the buildings themselves are works of art and at the same time preserve various precious objects. The stability requirements of microclimatic conditions play a key role in the deterioration processes of the various materials of building and works of art. It is necessary to reduce variations in thermo-physical parameters because they are as damaging as their absolute values, ensuring a sufficient comfort level for users. In the present paper results from experimental measurements performed ins...
The monitoring of the environmental conditions of the inside of the Chapel of Teodolinda is part ... more The monitoring of the environmental conditions of the inside of the Chapel of Teodolinda is part of the general restoration and conservation project of the wall paintings of the Zavattari. The acquisition system of SILIDATA AD2 (by the firm Silimet s.r.l. in Modena) was used; various stations were assembled in series for a total of 22 sensors (18 internal and 4 external). The monitoring, lasting approximately 18 months, has revealed the notable influences that the external environment has on the internal. The repeated and excessive variations in humidity, after all other causes were excluded, are attributable to the large apsidal windows. In essence, the rapid hygrometric movements, especially in descending peaks, are similar to those of almost direct air movements. The data gathered must be compared with the fusion point of the various salts present in the intonaco in order to decide upon the direction that an eventual restoration will take.
The ‘Porta del Paradiso’ by Lorenzo Ghiberti, also known as the ‘Gates of Paradise’, will soon be... more The ‘Porta del Paradiso’ by Lorenzo Ghiberti, also known as the ‘Gates of Paradise’, will soon be unveiled to the public after undergoing lengthy conservation. This project is at the stage where it is necessary to define environmental criteria for the long-term display of the doors. In this paper, three possible methodologies for display of the doors are considered: a showcase purged with nitrogen; a showcase with low, controlled relative humidity; an open showcase with a controlled microclimate. Galvanic sensors were used inside the cases to continuously monitor the macrocouple current of the doors and establish which case provided the most stable environment for display. Results to date indicate that the showcase with low, controlled humidity may offer the best solution for long-term display of the doors.
The relief of the Madonna and child with an angel attributed to Donatello is composed of wood, ca... more The relief of the Madonna and child with an angel attributed to Donatello is composed of wood, canvas, polychromed gesso, metal and gilded leather. After its restoration it had to be conserved inside the climatically unstable Bardini Museum. A case was made from plexiglass and its atmosphere conditioned using silica gel.
Opd Restauro Rivista Dell Opificio Delle Pietre Dure E Laboratorio Di Restauro Di Firenze, 1993
Art-sorb, a relatively new product in Italy, is compared with silica gel as a stabilizer for rela... more Art-sorb, a relatively new product in Italy, is compared with silica gel as a stabilizer for relative humidity in art storage environments. Empirical testing resulted in the conclusion that Art-sorb was undoubtedly superior to silica gel not only in humidity absorption but also in ease of use and ease in concealing the product from view. -- AATA
The necessity for controlled microclimatic conditions for the good conservation of cultural prope... more The necessity for controlled microclimatic conditions for the good conservation of cultural property is stressed. Many restoration problems stem from poor environment; conservation should be stressed over restoration. Recommended values for illumination, temperature, and relative humidity are tabulated.
The purpose of the study was to discover the behaviour of painted wooden panels when subjected to... more The purpose of the study was to discover the behaviour of painted wooden panels when subjected to rapid changes in ambient humidity. The reactions (in particular warping and shrinkage) of five samples when subjected to sudden hygrometric stresses were studied. The final experimental data led to a number of important observations on shrinkage and warping coefficients of painted wooden panels. In particular, the absolute necessity of spreading a protective substance on the backs of the panel paintings was stressed in order to ensure good conservation.
The measurement of indoor climate in heritage buildings can provide valuable sources of data need... more The measurement of indoor climate in heritage buildings can provide valuable sources of data needed for an optimal use and management of the works of art exhibited inside. It is a fundamental technique to evaluate environmental damage and degradation processes, to support the protection, conservation and preservation of works of art, improving the quality of museum environments. This is particularly important when the old buildings have special architectural and historical value. In most cases, the buildings themselves are works of art and at the same time preserve various precious objects. The stability requirements of microclimatic conditions play a key role in the deterioration processes of the various materials of building and works of art. It is necessary to reduce variations in thermo-physical parameters because they are as damaging as their absolute values, ensuring a sufficient comfort level for users. In the present paper results from experimental measurements performed ins...
Uploads
Papers