In this study, we investigated biodeterioration of materials used in tempera painting by analyzing the structure of the microbiome in ancient tempera paintings exhibited in State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow, Russia. Samples were obtained from 16th-century paintings, including a grand Russian Orthodox icon "The Church Militant" (all exhibits were without visible signs of biodeterioration), and from surrounding walls and ceilings (with vast zones of visible microbial growth). A number of microorganisms isolated from visible signs of environmental bio-damage were also detected in tempera paintings kept in temperature- and humidity-controlled conditions unfavorable for the growth of microflora. To determine the biodegrading potential of the microbiome for tempera paintings, we developed a set of mock layers from paintwork materials used in tempera painting of 16th century and their modern analogues and inoculated them with cultures containing filamentous fungi and bacteria. The susceptibility to microbial degradation of individual tempera painting materials was examined by micro-Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, which enabled detection of even invisible signs of biodeterioration. The results indicate that the microorganisms isolated from paintings and surrounding areas in the museum are capable of causing significant damage of various tempera materials, among which varnishes were the most resistant; however, the addition of antiseptic (sodium pentachlorophenolate) can inhibit microbial growth on sturgeon glue.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7117676 | PMC |
| http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0230591 | PLOS |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Nanoscale Probing of the Organic Binder in Artists' Paint Layers: Organic Phases and Chemical Heterogeneity.
ACS Appl Mater Interfaces
January 2025
Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, Università di Pisa, via Moruzzi 13, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
Understanding paint structures at the nanoscopic level can address key questions related to artistic techniques, paint formulation, and long-term preservation of artworks. This involves examining spatial chemical complexity, the formation of molecular networks, and interactions between organic and inorganic constituents. Depending on the paint preparation methods, proteins and drying oils, the most common binders in traditional artistic practices, can be integrated to produce paints with diverse structures and nanoscale chemical intricacies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMonitoring the aging process in egg-tempera paint films.
Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc
March 2025
Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR 8220, LAMS, case courrier 225, 4 pl. Jussieu 75252 Paris Cedex 05, France; Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France. Electronic address:
Article Synopsis
- * A study involved exposing mockup egg yolk tempera paints to light for up to 130 days to simulate aging, analyzing chemical changes using FTIR spectroscopy.
- * Findings indicated that both lipids and proteins in the tempera undergo oxidation, with accelerated changes in pigmented versions, highlighting the complex evolution of the paint’s components over time.
A screening method for heavy metals in consumer goods using reactive desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.
Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom
July 2024
Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
Rationale: Contamination of everyday goods with heavy metals such as nickel, cadmium, and lead known to be hazardous to the health of customers is an ongoing problem.
Method: Here, a mass spectrometric screening method based on reactive desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) is presented for the analysis of metals in consumer goods such as jewelry, tableware, and paintings. The method detects oxidized species of lead, nickel, cadmium, copper, and iron from the surface of objects without sample preparation.
A Multi-Analytical Approach to Identify Colorants in the Qajar Painted Wooden Decorative False Ceilings, From Northwest Iran.
Microsc Microanal
April 2024
Department of Conservation and Archaeometry, Faculty of Cultural Materials Conservation, Tabriz Islamic Art University, Azadi Blvd, Hakim Nizami Ganjavi Sq., Tabriz. P.O. Box, Tabriz 15385-4567, Iran.
The purpose of this study was to analyze the pigments used in the wooden paintings of Zarir Mosque, dating back to the Safavid era in Maragheh, Iran. These paintings, known as "Pardu," were commonly used for decorative false ceilings in various regions of Iran, particularly the northwest, during the Safavid and Qajar periods. Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, multiband imaging, and optical microscopy were employed to examine the pigments.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSimulation-aided infrared thermography with decomposition-based noise reduction for detecting defects in ancient polyptychs.
Herit Sci
October 2023
Centre for Composite Materials and Structures (CCMS), Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001 China.
In recent years, the conservation and protection of ancient cultural heritage have received increasing attention, and non-destructive testing (NDT), which can minimize the damage done to the test subject, plays an integral role therein. For instance, NDT through active infrared thermal imaging can be applied to ancient polyptychs, which can realize accurate detection of damage and defects existing on the surface and interior of the polyptychs. In this study, infrared thermography is used for non-invasive investigation and evaluation of two polyptych samples with different pigments and artificial defects, but both reproduced based on a painting by Pietro Lorenzetti (1280/85-1348) using the typical tempera technique of the century.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!