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Art Conservation Glossary
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Relative Humidity
The amount of moisture in the air relative to what the air can 'hold' at that temperature.
Microclimate
The environment within a specific limited space, such as a display case, where conditions can be different from the surrounding environment.
Thickening Agents
Substances added to liquids to increase viscosity without substantially altering other properties, used to control flow during adhesive and cleaning applications.
Gilding
The process of applying a thin layer of gold leaf or gold paint to a surface, often found on picture frames or decorative objects.
Laser Cleaning
A conservation technique that uses brief pulses of laser light to remove dirt and other contaminants from the surface of an object.
Nanotechnology
The use of extremely small particles and devices, often at the scale of individual atoms and molecules, in conservation.
Varnish
A transparent, hard, protective finish or film primarily used in wood finishing but also for other materials.
Ethafoam
A brand of polyethylene foam commonly used in the storage and transport of art objects to protect against shock and vibration.
Neutral pH
The state of a solution where the pH value is approximately 7, indicating neither acidity nor alkalinity.
Anoxic
An environment without oxygen. Used in conservation to prevent decay and insect damage.
Pest Management
The process of monitoring and controlling pests to prevent them from damaging art and cultural heritage materials.
Raking Light
Lighting that strikes a surface at a low angle and can enhance the perception of texture and surface anomalies.
UV Filter
A material used to block or absorb ultraviolet (UV) light to protect objects from potential damage.
Desiccant
A material used to induce dryness in its vicinity; commonly used to control humidity in museum display cases.
Fresco
A technique of mural painting executed upon freshly laid lime plaster, allowing pigments to merge with the plaster.
Calcium Phytate Treatment
A method used in paper conservation to inhibit the formation of destructive acids in paper artifacts.
Methylcellulose
A chemical compound derived from cellulose, used as an adhesive and sizing agent in paper conservation.
Synthetic Resins
Man-made polymer compounds used in conservation as adhesives, coatings, and consolidants.
Inpainting
The process of restoring lost or damaged paint on a work of art using a minimal intervention to conceal the damage.
Consolidation
The process of stabilizing deteriorated materials.
Fungicide
A chemical substance that destroys or inhibits the growth of fungi, often used in conservation to treat infected materials.
Conservator
A professional who works to preserve and restore art and cultural heritage for the future.
Biodeterioration
The breakdown of materials by microorganisms, plants, or animals.
Japanese Tissue
A thin, strong paper made from long plant fibers, used in art conservation for mending and support.
Hyaline
Transparent or translucent; glassy in appearance. Used in art conservation to describe certain varnish properties.
Xerophily
The ability to live in conditions with very little available water, often applied to pests that can damage cultural heritage materials.
Yellowing
The process of becoming yellow or more yellow, often due to degradation or oxidation of varnishes and binders in artwork.
Lightfastness
The resistance of pigments and dyes to fading or discoloration by light exposure.
Foxing
An age-related process of deterioration that causes spots and browning on old paper documents and artworks.
Retouching
The process of restoring the lost portions of an image in a way that they blend seamlessly with the original work.
Biocide
A substance capable of killing living organisms, used in conservation to target destructive microorganisms like mold and bacteria.
Hygroscopic
Having the ability to absorb moisture from the air, a property significant in the preservation of objects.
Organic Acids
Weak acids that are often found in natural materials and can contribute to the deterioration of cultural heritage objects.
Craquelure
A network of fine cracks in the paint or varnish of a painting. It is often caused by drying, aging, or changes in temperature and humidity.
Iconoclasm
The deliberate destruction within a culture of that culture's own religious icons and other symbols or monuments.
Tarnish
A thin layer of corrosion that forms on the surface of metals, as a result of oxidation or reaction with sulfides.
Degradation
The process by which materials begin to deteriorate with the passage of time.
Patina
A surface appearance of something grown beautiful, especially with age or use.
Quarantine
The isolation of an item, typically to prevent the spread of pests or contaminants to other parts of a collection.
Zeolites
A group of minerals used in conservation for their ability to trap ions and gases, helping control the environment around sensitive objects.
Oxidation
A chemical reaction that occurs when materials combine with oxygen, often resulting in degradation, rust on metals, or fading of pigments.
Pigment
A material that changes the color of reflected or transmitted light as the result of wavelength-selective absorption.
Strappo
A technique used to detach wall paintings from walls and transfer them to a new support, often canvas or another wall.
Ultraviolet (UV) Light
A type of electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength shorter than that of visible light but longer than X-rays.
Provenance
The record of ownership of a work of art or an antique, used as a guide to authenticity or quality.
Acid-Free
A term referring to materials that are pH neutral or very close to neutral.
Easel Painting
A painting made on canvas, wood, or similar lightweight support and intended to be displayed on an easel.
Wormhole
A hole in wood or paper made by the burrowing of an insect larva.
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