Notebook

Notebook, 1993- MATERIALS & METHODS - Pigments

Conservators' Demands

Conservators demand especially high-quality pigments, and this is justified, since they work on valuable old paintings. The conservator must always know with what material he is working. Experience has taught that with the increasing complexities of the profession, one cannot manage without a certain knowledge of chemistry. At the author's institute it was eventually decided to give conservation students chemistry lessons specially designed to fulfill the needs of their profession. These are taught by the physical chemist of the institute, a scientist who specialized in paint technology and is fully conversant with problems of conservation of paintings as well as ancient monuments. However, the problems are usually formulated by the head of the institute, who is experienced in [p. 55] practical matters. At question time, attended by the staff of the institute and the conservation students, problems arising from daily practice are discussed and explained scientifically. At times, this stimulates new projects for the research department. At this point the author would like to thank two members of the institute and former collaborators, Dr. Edgar Denninger and Dr. Robert Haug [pigments], for checking the chapters on materials. [pp. 55-56]

[Wehlte, Kurt. The Materials and Techniques of Painting. Translated by Ursus Dix. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Company. 1975.]

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