J.IIC-CG VOLUME 19 (1994)
Spectroscopic and Chromatographic Analysis of Selected Paintings from the Parisian Period of Paul-Émile Borduas
The analysis of samples from eight paintings from the Parisian period of Quebec artist Paul-Émile Borduas (1905-1960) was undertaken. These large, predominantly black and white oil on canvas paintings date from approximately 1957 to 1959. They have experienced conservation problems such as cracking black paint, cleavage, incompletely dried paint, exudates of discoloured oil, and penetration of oil through the canvas. Analysis of black and white paint samples by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry provided detailed information on the nature of the pigments and binding media. Several material and technique related factors that contribute to the conservation problems are identified and discussed.
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