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Mapping the mechanical properties of paintings via nanoindentation: a new approach for cultural heritage studies

  • Mathilde Tiennot*
  • , Erik Paardekam
  • , Davide Iannuzzi
  • , Erma Hermens
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

A comprehensive understanding of the behaviour of the heterogenous layers within the paint stratigraphies in historical paintings is crucial to evaluate their long term stability. We aim to refine nanoindentation as a new tool to investigate the mechanical behaviour of historical oil paints, by adapting the probes and the protocol already used in biomechanical research on soft tissues. The depth-controlled indentation profile performed with a spherical probe provides an evaluation of the non-linear viscoelastic behaviour of the individual layers in paint at local scale. The technique is non-destructive and guarantees the integrity of the surface after indentation. The mapping of elasticity demonstrates the properties’ heterogeneity of the composite material within the paint layers, as well as between the individual layers and their interfaces.

Original languageEnglish
Article number7924
Pages (from-to)1-8
Number of pages8
JournalScientific Reports
Volume10
Issue number1
Early online date13 May 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2020

Funding

The research leading to these results has gratefully received funding from the Koninklijke DE Heus/Rijksmuseum Fonds. The authors further thank Laurens van Giersbergen for the samples preparation, Marjolein Hupkes and Sepha Wouda who examined the painting in the Rijksmuseum Paintings Conservation Studio, Nelda Antonovaite for fruitful discussions, Antoine Pauthier and Thomas Tiennot for technical support.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
    SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities

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