The group “Study of materials and pictorial techniques used in works of art”, led by Dr. Ángel Justo Erbez, from the Institute of Materials Science of Seville (ICMS), will participate in the restoration of three canvases by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo.
The condition of the canvases shows significant wear due to the passage of time, caused by dust, the accumulation of dirt from candle smoke, the action of wood-eating insects and also humidity. All of these give rise to cracks, alteration of the varnishes, lifting of boards or peeling paint. Upon completion of the planned restoration work, the luminosity and visibility of these works, which have been in the Hospital de la Santa Caridad in Seville since the 17th century, will be recovered.
The work of the ICMS researchers is carried out within the framework of an interdisciplinary work group, led by Dr. María Arjonilla from the Faculty of Fine Arts of Seville and funded by the Focus Abengoa Foundation. The tasks assigned to the scientists are the analysis and identification of samples of pigments, binders, varnishes, supports and substrates. To do this they will use various techniques such as stratigraphy, optical and scanning electron microscopy, chemical analysis using dispersive X-ray energies, infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction.
Finally, it should be noted that the research group “Study of materials and techniques used in works of art” belongs to the CSIC’s Historical-Cultural Heritage Network, and has been working for more than 40 years on different aspects related to Historical-Artistic heritage. The group maintains contacts with professionals from other branches of knowledge, developing interdisciplinary work. And the fruit of these collaborations with restorers, art historians, geologists, organ builders and organists has been the approval of various projects financed by the Ministry and the Junta de Andalucía, as well as agreements and contracts signed with the Collegiate Church of the Divine Savior or the Royal Alcazar of Seville.
Among the best-known monuments on which they have carried out their studies are the canvases of the presbytery and side naves of the Co-Cathedral Church of Baza (Granada), the Historic Organ of the Seo of Zaragoza, the gallery of Grotesques of the Royal Alcazar of Seville and the Puerta del Perdón of the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba.
