Protecting Cultural Heritage
Reflections on the Position of conservation science. Important players in this field, Science in Multidisciplinary which readily address interactivity and networking, are the recently started Episcon project in the European Approaches Community’s Marie Curie program3 and the five- 4 by Jan Wouters year-old EU-Artech project. The goal of Episcon is to develop the first generation of actively formed ver the past 40 years, scientific research activ- conservation scientists at the Ph.D.-level in Europe. ities in support of the conservation and resto- EU-Artech provides access, research, and technology Oration of objects and monuments belonging for the conservation of European cultural heritage, to the world’s cultural heritage, have grown in number including networking among 13 European infrastruc- and quality. Many institutes specifically dedicated to tures operating in the field of artwork conservation. the study and conservation of cultural heritage have The present absence of a recognized, knowledge- emerged. Small dedicated laboratories have been based identity for conservation science or conserva- installed in museums, libraries, and archives, and, tion scientists may lead to philosophical and even more recently, university laboratories are showing linguistic misunderstandings within multidisciplinary increased interest in this field. consortiums created to execute conservation projects. This paper discusses sources of misunderstandings, However, no definition has been formulated to iden- a suggestion for more transparent language when tify the specific tasks, responsibilities, and skills of a dealing with the scientific term analysis, elements to conservation scientist or of conservation science. This help define conservation science, and the benefits is contradictory to the availability of a clear Definition for conservation scientists of becoming connected to of the Profession of a Conservator-Restorer, published worldwide professional networks. by the Conservation Committee of the International Council of Museums in 1984.1 Conservation-restora- Disputable Terminology around tion is also described as an academic discipline in the “Analysis” Clarification of Conservation-Restoration Education at University Level or Equivalent, published in the Modern analytical protocols involve ever-increasing Clarification Document of the European Network sophistication of sample preparation procedures, for Conservation-Restoration Education (ENCoRE) in instrumentation, and post-run data treatment. This, 2000.2 At present, definitions on conservation and together with the frequent absence of explanatory restoration, but not on conservation science, are under terms around “analysis,” may create an alienating discussion in workgroup 1 of the Technical Committee effect on those professionals who are not familiar with 346 of the European Committee for Standardisation. the inherent terminology and evaluation processes, Hopefully, multidisciplinary research consortiums yet are closely involved in the multi- or interdisciplin- (e.g., executing research projects within European ary approach that must lead to the preservation of framework programs) will promote the synergy cultural heritage. There is no doubt that this may gen- between the cultural heritage field and the natural erate reservations when analysis of art is under discus- sciences, and will generate elements for defining sion, even when such analysis is considered essential to reveal an object’s conservation condition or to Dyes in Precolumbian Peruvian establish a conservation treatment. Among the most textiles: A combination of notable of such explanatory terms are destructive- medium destructiveness and ness, invasiveness, representativeness, and resolution. high resolving power allowed Such terms tend to create a polarization between non- for the identification of biologi- invasive/non-destructive interventions and destructive cal sources used for dyeing, and analytical approaches. revealed changes in use as a Inevitably, the withdrawal of a sample from an function of cultural periods (Jan Wouters and Noemi Rosario- object of art or culture implies some kind of mutila- Chirinos: “Dyestuff Analysis of tion, even when executed in an inconspicuous area Precolumbian Peruvian Textiles or when dealing with minute samples. Such handling by High Performance Liquid is therefore called destructive to the object. On the Chromatography and Diode-Array Detection.” Journal of the other hand, there are analytical techniques available American Institute for Conservation 31,2(1992)237–255). that may be applied directly to the object, without
4 CHEMISTRY International January-February 2008 the removal of a sample. These techniques are often referred to as non-destructive and they are mostly applied to inorganic materials in art.5 However, from a scientific point of view, any interaction between a material and an energy-bearing analytical vehicle, is unlikely to leave that material, or an accompanying- one, totally unaltered after the interaction. The key issue in this discussion is the way in which one interprets damage. Obviously, the least critical High-level destructiveness analysis of synthetic membranes evaluation of damage is performed by the naked eye: without touching the 8th century parchment of the Codex There is no damage if it cannot be “seen.” The most Eyckensis revealed a polyvinylchloride polymer with 30 % critical evaluation is from data generated at the molec- (w/w) monomeric plasticizer; after the removal of the mem- ular level by relevant spectroscopic techniques: There branes, the Codex could be conserved by the application of is no damage if the molecular compositional array at an innovative parchment leafcasting technique (Jan Wouters, the spot of measurement has not changed beyond An Peckstadt, and Lieve Watteeuw: “Leafcasting with Dermal experimental deviations or beyond a preset level of Tissue Preparations: A New Method for Repairing Fragile tolerance. Sometimes, techniques applied directly to Parchment, and Its Application to the Codex Eyckensis.” The the object are called non-invasive. Although the term Paper Conservator 19(1995)5–22.) is correct since it is a non-sampling technique, the qualification may be misleading in terms of destruc- Toward New Terminologies7 tiveness for the reasons outlined above. The complexity of the composition of artifacts such So, should we stop using the often confusing terms as paintings is expressed by their multilayer archi- that accompany “analysis” when discussing the ageing, tecture, by the high level of heterogeneity of each damage, and manufacturing technology of artifacts? individual layer, and by the further contribution to that The answer extends beyond the suspected “yes”! heterogeneity by natural ageing processes and human Destructiveness could be replaced by “degree interventions. Having to reveal production technol- of intervention,” which might be described at three ogy or damage patterns of an object by observing levels: molecular (low change), microscopic (medium analytical data produced from a microsample or a change), or visual (high change). This would imply, microspot may come into conflict with the low repre- for instance, that the withdrawal of a microsample or sentativeness of such a sample or spot. Obviously, the the generation of a permanently discolored microspot only ways to increase representativeness are through (as a consequence of prolonged remote radiation) multiple sampling or increased spot size. reflect exactly the same degree of intervention. Using Multiple sampling increases damage to the object, the older terms, microsampling would be called inva- but highly detailed results may be obtained by launch- sive and the radiation non-invasive, but apparently ing high-resolution mapping and imaging techniques destructive. However, the degree of intervention and to a set of microsamples.6 Alternatively, non-invasive its discussion should be time-related. Indeed, discolor- approaches may be applied, often with larger beam ation caused by radiation in a focused beam may be diameters than those used in high-resolution mapping either permanent or limited in time, which means that and imaging. Those larger diameters are advanta- the degree of intervention could be further classified geous in terms of averaging and, hence, increased as medium or low intervention, respectively. representativeness. But, due to the inherent lack of However, the degree of intervention does not analytical resolution—both in the plane and in the explain at all why the analysis is proposed, requested, depth of the artifact—they may miss phenomena vital or executed, and by what party. More information is to explaining technology and/or damage that would needed about the expectations of the requestor in require conservation measures. terms of how analytical results will be used. It is sug- It may be clear from this discussion that invasive- gested here that the terms “usefulness” and “innova- ness/destructiveness alone is not a good criterion to tion” can provide such information. select an approach for analyzing artwork. One or more The assessment of the “usefulness” of the inter- other parameters should be considered for evaluating vention should consider whether the intervention the level and detail of information obtained. can establish what production technology was used, provide a damage assessment, and determine the
CHEMISTRY International January-February 2008 5 Protecting Cultural Heritage
best conservation practice to use. “Innovation” may manufacture and decay be formulated in terms of progress beyond the state • creation of reference collections and databases of of the art. Eventually, innovation could be assessed analytical results of references and standards according to the degree of intervention8 or usefulness9 • development of analytical approaches to enhance of analysis executed according to the newly developed the ratio of information to destructiveness and approach. Hopefully, a high level of innovation would taking into account levels of usefulness and create data, insights, and experience which, in turn, innovation would improve usefulness and probably even lower • understanding of usefulness the degree of intervention in the long term. • consideration and understanding of historical, The terms intervention, usefulness, and innovation geographical, and archaeological aspects of col- may be rightfully used and combined to estimate lections the balance between the degree or level of interven- • appropriate applications of statistics tion and the analytical outcome. And it is exactly • dedicated fundamental research and high- this balance that must be discussed by all parties level interactivity with professionals from other involved when selecting the most appropriate ana- disciplines lytical approach. Transparency will be increased by specifying the degree of intervention, usefulness, and A Multidiscilinary Research Forum in innovation when discussing scientific analysis in a Cultural Heritage multidisciplinary environment. Use of these terms also may improve the source’s credibility, the receiver’s Obviously, conservation scientists should have a attention, and the quality of the decision.10 strong interest in seeking and promoting interac- tions with others in their field. Such interactions will Towards a Definition of become more established within the framework of rel- Conservation Science evant professional organizations. A prominent player in this field is the Conservation Committee of the The linguistic and philosophical issues discussed in the International Council of Museums (ICOM-CC).11 This two preceding paragraphs illustrate how a natural sci- committee is the largest of 30 international commit- entist (chemist, physicist, biologist) working in the field tees of ICOM and is composed of 23 multidisciplinary of cultural heritage, must critically define pathways for working groups, covering all aspects of the investiga- proposing, executing, interpreting, and explaining tion and conservation of museum collections. In this analyses of art within a multidisciplinary and respon- way, ICOM-CC helps to achieve ICOM’s objectives, sibility-sharing environment. To this must be added which are to exchange scientific information at an more specific research-related issues, including old international level, develop professional standards, manufacturing technologies, ageing phenomena, and and adopt rules and recommendations. ICOM-CC the social, cultural, and political pressures to preserve membership, which is spread over 79 countries and the past for the future. All of these elements constitute has grown by 50 percent over the last seven years, is criteria for improving the understanding of the specific now more than 1500. requirements of conservation science. ICOM-CC organizes triennial conferences, where The major objectives of conservation science should all working groups meet in dedicated sessions and be to study all aspects (chemical, biological, physical) where plenary sessions are organized on topics of of the manufacture, decay, and preservation of objects general interest. At these conferences, working group of art and culture. Such studies require the following: members elect a coordinator and discuss a working • reading and understanding data in historic lit- program for the next three years. erature (revealing the choice of sources, the preparation of products, and the combination of Conclusion those products in the manufacturing technology of the final object), and the extrapolation of this Multi- and interdisciplinary consortiums established data into a present-day scientific framework (to to preserve cultural heritage will benefit from a prepare mock-ups or to develop an analytical better integration of conservation science. This strategy) may be achieved through establishing a definition • recognition of phenomena, at any level of obser- of conservation science and through the formula- vation (visual, microscopic, molecular), related to tion of end-terms—formed at the master level at
6 CHEMISTRY International January-February 2008 least—for conservation scientists. The terminology 6. Boon J.J., Ferreira E.S.B., Keune K. (2005). “Imaging used nowadays to describe the potential damage to Analytical Studies of Old Master Paints Using FTIR, SIMS, and SEMEDX of Embedded Paint Cross-Sections.” objects caused by analysis should be refined beyond Microscopy and Micro-Analysis, 11, p. 1370–1371. the destructiveness/non-invasiveness polarization. 7. Wouters J. (2006). “Surrealism in Science: the Difference A terminology should include at least “degree of between Analysis and Analysis.” Proceedings of the De intervention (low, medium, high),” “usefulness,” and Mayerne Symposium, NWO, The Netherlands, p. 13–20. 8. Verhoeven M.A., Carlyle L., Reedijk J. and Haasnoot J.J., “innovation.” The further development and integra- (2006). “Exploring the Application of Solid-State Nuclear tion of conservation scientists will improve with their Magnetic Resonance to the Study of the Deterioration of participation in international networks that encourage Paintings.” Proceedings of the De Mayerne Symposium, multidisciplinary approaches. NWO, The Netherlands, p. 32–42. 9. Della Gatta C., Badea E., Masic A., Usacheva T., Benedetto S. and Braghieri A., (2005). “Environmental Ageing of References Historical Parchments: a DSC, SEM, and Unilateral NMR 1. Definition of the Profession of a Conservator-Restorer, pub- Study of Old Bookbindings from the Historical Archives lished by the Conservation Committee of the International of the City of Turin.” Improved Damage Assessment of Council of Museums (ICOM-CC) in 1984, can be found at Parchment, School of Conservation, The Royal Danish
See also www.iupac.org/publications/ci/indexes/ stamps.html Stamps International
A Hydrocarbon to Be Proud of cage hydrocarbon was first isolated in 1933 from a sample of Moravian crude oil ana- he stamp from Czechoslovakia illustrated in this lyzed by S. Landa and V. Machácek note was issued on 4 July 1966 to celebrate at the Czech Technical University Tthe centennial of the Czech Chemical Society, (CTU) in Prague. Interestingly, which is one of the oldest chemical societies in the there is another Czech connec- world and is still engaged today in all aspects of tion to adamantane: It was first the chemical enterprise in the synthesized in 1941 by the famous Czech Republic and elsewhere. Vladimir Prelog, co-recipient of Prominently featured on the the 1975 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. stamp is a molecular diagram Although Prelog was born in of adamantane, the well-known Sarajevo (part of the Austro- saturated hydrocarbon with a Hungarian Empire at the time), diamond-like structure and a he earned his Ph.D. from CTU in smell reminiscent of camphor. 1929 and worked in Prague until 1935. The 100th anni- It is a remarkably stable organic versary of Prelog’s birth was remembered by Bosnia compound due to its conforma- and Herzegovina with a stamp issued on 25 October tional rigidity and, although it 2006. has relatively few applications, some of its derivatives (e.g., amantadine, rimantadine) Written by Daniel Rabinovich
CHEMISTRY International January-February 2008 7