All Conservation articles
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Feature
Conserving Barbie from degradation
Although she is a cultural icon, conserving Barbie has its challenges: as with most plastic toys and dolls, she was not made to last. Rachel Brazil investigates how conservation scientists are approaching this sticky problem
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News
Outcry over plans to demolish art deco building used in Marie Curie’s and colleagues’ research
Former radioactive sources storage site slated for decontamination on 8 January to be knocked down to make way for office block
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Research
Chemistry tools reveal surprise lead layer under a Rembrandt masterpiece
X-ray imaging uncovers a surprising lead substance beneath The Night Watch, likely used to safeguard the famous painting from moisture
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Research
Chemists discover new lead(II) oxide pigments in the Mona Lisa and the Last Supper
Findings provide new insight into paints used by Leonardo da Vinci
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Research
XRF reveals early drafts of ancient Egyptian art
Portable analytical equipment allows greater analysis of ancient artwork
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Research
Beer byproduct used as a binder in paintings during the Danish Golden Age
Scientists identify proteins from cereal species using mass spectrometry
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Feature
The smell of history
Nina Notman sniffs out chemistry’s role in uncovering, documenting and recreating the scents of the past
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Feature
Unwrapping ancient Egyptian chemistry
From mummification to metallurgy, Rachel Brazil looks at the impressive chemistry used by this ancient civilisation
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Research
Explaining the mysterious purple gold at Spain's Alhambra
Chemical corrosion converts gold leaf into purple nanospheres
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Opinion
Hidden details in iconic portrait of Lavoisiers reveal fears of coming revolution
As the French Revolution neared the Lavoisiers were reimagined as scientific progressives rather than out of touch aristocrats
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Research
Invisible graphene veil protects paintings from fading
Thin layers of graphene could prevent up to 70% of light-induced colour fading
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News
Kew Gardens exhibit will showcase dazzling display of structural colour
Nanostructures that create the ‘brightest colours ever created’ will be on display at gallery
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Research
3D-printed ‘digital ivory’ saves antique artworks – and maybe elephants
‘Digory’ will be invaluable for restoration projects, and could help prevent ivory poaching that threatens the survival of wild elephants
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Research
Pompeii’s paintings imperilled by precipitates
Volcanic ash protected the city’s frescos for centuries, now it might hasten their decline
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Research
Luxury blue paint pigment catalyses its own ‘disease’
Discovery could help preserve Renaissance masterpieces
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Research
Keep The Scream dry to preserve its pigments, chemical analysis suggests
Moisture – not light – hastens the degradation of yellow cadmium colours in Edvard Munch’s 1910 painting
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Research
Porous hydrogel cleans dirt and grime from Jackson Pollock masterpieces
Twin-chain polymer gel can safely removes grime from contemporary artworks
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Research
Art enthusiasts leave chemical traces of gallery visits on artwork
Many of the volatile chemicals given off by visitors rapidly stick to surfaces inside an art gallery find researchers
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News
Conservators turn to iPads to follow the formation of oil paintings’ ‘art acne’
Researchers have developed at app to address a chemistry problem plaguing the art world
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Research
Chemical analysis reveals origin of Pompeian mosaic tiles
Work will help to preserve ancient murals