CHAPTER 19. A Vibrant Surface: Investigating Color, Texture and Transparency in Winslow Homer's Watercolors

Berrie, Barbara H.; Casadio, Francesca; Dahm, Kristi; Strumfels, Yoonjoo; Tedeschi, Martha; Walsh, Janet

doi:10.1039/9781839161957-00404

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Our findings have important implications for the assessment of the degradation phenomenon of lead chromate-based pigments in artworks. We know that not only drying oils but also other types of binding media, including gums, waxes, as well as oleoresinous and proteinaceous materials, − were frequently employed as binding media for chrome yellows. Thus, it becomes relevant to pay attention not only to the Cr/S stoichiometry and crystalline structure of the chrome yellow pigment but also to the chemical nature of the binder that is mixed with it.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disclosing the Binding Medium Effects and the Pigment Solubility in the (Photo)reduction Process of Chrome Yellows (PbCrO₄/PbCr_1–xS_xO₄)

et al. 2019

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The darkening due to chemical alteration of chrome yellows (PbCrO 4 /PbCr 1−x S x O 4 ) is a phenomenon threatening a large number of 19th−20th century paintings, including the Amsterdam Sunf lowers by Vincent van Gogh. Our earlier studies have proven that the alteration is due to a Cr(VI) → Cr(III) reduction with Cr(V)-species that are formed as long-lived intermediates and that PbCr 1−x S x O 4 (0 < x ≤ 0.8) types undergo reduction more readily than monoclinic, S-free, PbCrO 4 . In this context, there is still lack of knowledge about the effects of the chemical properties of the binding medium (i.e., chemical composition and drying process) and the solubility of chrome yellows on the overall reduction pathways. Here, we study a series of naturally and photochemically aged mock-up paints prepared by mixing chrome yellow powders (PbCrO 4 /PbCr 0.2 S 0.8 O 4 ) with either linseed oil or a water-based acrylic emulsion as the binding medium. Equivalent paints made up of the highly soluble K 2 CrO 4 were also investigated and used as benchmarks to provide a more in-depth understanding of the influence of the solubility on the chromate reduction pathways in the two different binders. A combination of synchrotron radiation-based Cr K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and UV− Visible spectroscopy measurements shows that: (1) the Cr(VI) reduction results from the interaction between the pigment and the binder; (2) the process is more significant in oil, giving rise to Cr(V)-and Cr(III)-species as well as oxidized organic compounds; (3) the lightfastness of the chrome yellow pigment is enhanced in the acrylic binder; and (4) the tendency toward chromium reduction increases with increasing solubility of the pigment. Based on our findings, we propose a scheme for the mechanism of the (photo)reduction process of chrome yellows in the oil and acrylic binder. Overall, our results provide new insights into the factors driving the degradation of lead chromate-based paints in artworks and contribute to the development of strategies for preserving them over time.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disclosing the Binding Medium Effects and the Pigment Solubility in the (Photo)reduction Process of Chrome Yellows (PbCrO₄/PbCr_1–xS_xO₄)

et al. 2019

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“…La creación artística es uno de los medios que los seres humanos utilizan desde hace muchos años para expresar y compartir su historia, inquietudes, aprendizajes, creencias, pensamientos grupales y personales. En las obras se refleja la conexión entre quien las crea y su época, no solo en los aspectos temáticos y estilísticos, sino en la disponibilidad de materiales para la preparación de la obra (Barrantes-Madrigal et al, 2021;Berrie et al, 2014). Por lo tanto, establecer y comprender la integralidad en estas relaciones es actualmente clave para proporcionar información precisa sobre la materialidad de las obras, el sello personal de la persona creadora y desarrollar estrategias de conservación.…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

La ciencia al servicio del arte: observación de dos obras pictóricas en acuarela de Fausto Pacheco por medio de análisis múltiple

Rivera-Romero

Jaikel-Víquez²,

Cob-Delgado³

et al. 2023

Herencia

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La conservación de las obras de arte es un aspecto fundamental de la inmensidad de la cultura humana y la expresión artística. Se analizaron dos obras en acuarela: Paisaje con casa campesina y El puente, pertenecientes a la colección del Banco Central de Costa Rica atribuidas al artista nacional Fausto Pacheco Hernández. Particularmente, el acercamiento exclusivo para estudiar dichas obras de arte está caracterizado por ser un análisis múltiple, donde se aplicaron técnicas no invasivas como la fotografía multiespectral. A partir de dicha técnica y el uso de herramientas computacionales novedosas como RegionsOfInterest y Golden Artists Colors se determinó información sobre la paleta pictórica y el proceso creativo del artista. El análisis múltiple permitió identificar diferentes patrones que podrían estar asociados con el crecimiento microbiano. Este estudio pionero corresponde al punto de partida para establecer indicadores que permitan, en el futuro, valorar la posible autenticidad de las pinturas con base en el establecimiento de la paleta pictórica del artista, los materiales utilizados, los procesos creativos y el contexto histórico. La aplicación de la ciencia para conocer las características de los materiales contribuye significativamente a determinar la manera más eficiente para conservar el patrimonio cultural.

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“…People have used art for many years to express and share their history, concerns, learning, beliefs, and thoughts. Specifically, paintings reflect the connection between those who make them and their origin, not only in thematic and stylistic aspects, but also in the availability of materials for the preparation of the artwork 1,2 . Since ancient times, there has been strong evidence that the commercialization of objects that we today identify as artistic triggered the phenomenon of falsification.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of three artworks attributed to the Costa Rican painter Fausto Pacheco: analysis of physical components and assessment of chemical and antimicrobial components of pictorial palette

Rivera-Romero

Varela-Mejía

Ugalde-Campos

et al. 2023

Preprint

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The use of analytical techniques in cultural heritage research represents an amazing multidisciplinary collaboration. In heritage studies, it is important to pay attention to authenticating, dating, and determining the origin of works of art. Three watercolors were analyzed: Paisaje con árbol, Paisaje con casa campesina and El puente, belonging to the collection of the Central Bank of Costa Rica and attributed to the national artist Fausto Pacheco Hernández. Employing multispectral imaging and innovative computational tools, we determined the state of conservation and biodeterioration of the works evaluated. By using spectroscopic techniques such as Fiber Optics Reflectance (FORS), X–Ray Fluorescense (XRF) and Scanning Electron Microscope–Energy Dispersive X–Ray (SEM–EDX) we identified and compared different pigments in the artworks. Also, we determined the creative process of the artist. Based on our results, Paisaje con árbol was the most likely, of the three paintings, to be attributed to Costa Rican artist Fausto Pacheco, followed by Paisaje con casa campesina and lastly El puente. Finally, we studied the antibacterial and antifungal properties of two of the pigments identified in the paintings (ultramarine blue and yellow ochre). Both the bacterial and fungal isolates were more susceptible to the latter. Applying these kind of studies help to increase the database on the Costa Rican artist and his historical period, providing a better understanding of creative techniques and palettes, in order to strengthen the database for future works.

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CHAPTER 19. A Vibrant Surface: Investigating Color, Texture and Transparency in Winslow Homer's Watercolors

Cited by 5 publications

References 2 publications

Disclosing the Binding Medium Effects and the Pigment Solubility in the (Photo)reduction Process of Chrome Yellows (PbCrO₄/PbCr_1–xS_xO₄)

Disclosing the Binding Medium Effects and the Pigment Solubility in the (Photo)reduction Process of Chrome Yellows (PbCrO₄/PbCr_1–xS_xO₄)

La ciencia al servicio del arte: observación de dos obras pictóricas en acuarela de Fausto Pacheco por medio de análisis múltiple

Characterization of three artworks attributed to the Costa Rican painter Fausto Pacheco: analysis of physical components and assessment of chemical and antimicrobial components of pictorial palette

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CHAPTER 19. A Vibrant Surface: Investigating Color, Texture and Transparency in Winslow Homer's Watercolors

Cited by 5 publications

References 2 publications

Disclosing the Binding Medium Effects and the Pigment Solubility in the (Photo)reduction Process of Chrome Yellows (PbCrO4/PbCr1–xSxO4)

Disclosing the Binding Medium Effects and the Pigment Solubility in the (Photo)reduction Process of Chrome Yellows (PbCrO4/PbCr1–xSxO4)

La ciencia al servicio del arte: observación de dos obras pictóricas en acuarela de Fausto Pacheco por medio de análisis múltiple

Characterization of three artworks attributed to the Costa Rican painter Fausto Pacheco: analysis of physical components and assessment of chemical and antimicrobial components of pictorial palette

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Product

Resources

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Disclosing the Binding Medium Effects and the Pigment Solubility in the (Photo)reduction Process of Chrome Yellows (PbCrO₄/PbCr_1–xS_xO₄)

Disclosing the Binding Medium Effects and the Pigment Solubility in the (Photo)reduction Process of Chrome Yellows (PbCrO₄/PbCr_1–xS_xO₄)