Preserving textile objects in Romanian wooden churches. Case study of the heritage wooden church form Oradea, Romania

Abstract

It is important to investigate the indoor air quality, the microbial concentration of indoor air and surfaces for preserving the cultural heritage. In what regards the microclimate inside the historic monument, the wooden church, the temperature and relative humidity were monitored using the thermo-hygrometer with data function logger “Klimalogg Pro” (eight sensors), October-December 2018, the thermos-camera “Thermal Imaging Camera FLIR I7” and “Digi-Sense Data Logging Luxmeter”. Image analysis were also performed using digital image processing techniques (ARCGIS), mapping the areas damaged by temperature, humidity and also by rainwater infiltrated on canvas paintings, biodegradation, anthropically degraded areas etc. Isolation of microorganisms from the two canvas paintings and indoor air were taken though specific method, analyses showing the presence of microorganisms on the paintings, possible human pathogens especially for people with low immunity. A high fidelity database with the state of patrimony objects preserved in the Romanian wooden church and perspectives for their proper conservation could be created at a certain moment.

Considerations Regarding the Research for the Conservation of Heritage Textiles in Romania

“…Namely scanning electron microscope (SEM); a technique often used in studies targeting textiles, but with a high efficiency in determining their degree of conservation. The use of SEM aimed to identify morphological aspects and irregularities of the fibers that make up the fabrics, as well as the presence of microorganisms and dust [47].…”

“…These are very valuable in terms of the techniques used for painting (al secco), the colors used (some with gold composition), the dimensions and materials on which they are made. The studies envisaged for the methodological and result analysis are focused on determining the interior microclimate of the monument [7,44,45] as well as the preservation of the valuable objects inside [35,46,47].…”

“…In order to establish the damaged areas of the paintings on the canvas, the mapping of the areas in which they were degraded by temperature, humidity and rainwater infiltrated in the painted canvas was performed. Also in this sense, the distribution and influence of heat and light on the painted canvas were analyzed (Figure 5), at different times of the day and in different seasons [47].…”

“…Fungi belong to a number of 18 species, the most common being Aspergillus sp., Alternaria sp., Absidia sp., Penicillium sp., as well as Rhodotorula and Candida; and four types of bacteria were identified (Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, Bacillus, and Actinomyces) [44]. The large number of microorganisms identified in the air inside the wooden church can represent a potential danger to the health of the parishioners, but at the same time they can colonize the textile materials [47]. The organic components that characterize the paintings on canvas [35] represent a nutritional source for a wide range of microorganisms [45], proving the large number of identified colonies.…”

“…The organic components that characterize the paintings on canvas [35] represent a nutritional source for a wide range of microorganisms [45], proving the large number of identified colonies. The samples collected from the paintings on canvas revealed the presence of no less than seven fungi and one type of bacteria [45,47]. The integrated action of these microbes, both from the air and from the surfaces, can, in time, lead to the decomposition of textile materials, damage that is practically irreversible.…”