Lecture
17. April 2013, 14:15 Uhr
UFT
Seminarraum E1.3.169
Linda Stiber Morenus
Library of Congress, Washington, DC, USA
"Color Printing in Italian Chiaroscuro Woodcuts:
Degradation, Conservation, and Exhibition“
Italian chiaroscuro woodcuts are among the most innovative of Renaissance
prints. Chiaroscuro woodcut prints ─ named from the Italian term for contrasting
light and dark tones ─ emulate drawings of the period. Many centuries after a
chiaroscuro woodcut was originally executed, deterioration can affect its
legibility, and distort the historical and aesthetic interpretation of the work.
Colored printing ink can become altered by a number of degradation phenomena.
Understanding the durability of vehicles and colorants is central to accurate
condition evaluation of chiaroscuro prints. This presentation summarizes what is
known about the early modern methods and materials of manufacturing printing
ink. The research interprets x-ray fluorescence analysis of the inks of four Italian
chiaroscuro woodcuts. Based on the cumulative evidence, a condition assessment
protocol is offered and conservation treatment, storage and exhibition issues for
the Italian chiaroscuro woodcut are described.
Universität für Bodenkultur, Department für Chemie
Konrad Lorenz Straße 24, 3430 Tulln