This two day conference on microclimates for panel paintings is directed towards the latest developments in this field. Microclimate boxes are considered best practice for moisture sensitive objects for exhibition in uncontrolled environments or travelling. It is necessary to control climate conditions (relative humidity and temperature) in order to prevent unnecessary stresses developing in the object as the hydroscopic materials absorb or desorb moisture content. To achieve this the microclimate environment needs to be maintained to set parameters. This is best attained in air-tight enclosures, either encapsulating the artwork or incorporated in the original setting, such as the frame. Research has shown that the air surrounding the artwork should be kept to a minimum and that materials used for constructing the enclosure should be carefully selected. Debate is ongoing if the interior climate requires buffering or not. The last major review of innovations in the field was held in Copenhagen in 2007 and further research was reported in the outcome of the EU funded PROPAINT project (2010).
This Conference will provide an opportunity for those constructing and designing microclimate enclosures to report their latest experiences to conservators and museum curators. Furthermore, sessions focusing on the science behind microclimate enclosures will be scheduled.
Confirmed speakers
Jorgen Wadum CATS, Denmark The history and objectives for microclimate-frames for paintings
Luca Uzielli, GESAAF University of Florence, Italy Behaviour of panel paintings deriving from micro environment climate fluctuations
Jean-Albert Glatigny Private Belgium Microclimate-frames: Designs and Materials
Sara Mateu Private Belgium Making microclimate Marvelseal® envelopes
Roger Groves TU Delft, The Netherlands Influence of the microclimate air quality on material degradation.
Lynne Harrison The National Gallery, London, UK Protecting Paintings at the National Gallery
Kristina Holl, Katrin Janis, Max Rahrig, Ilaria Bonaduce, Ralf Kilian Fraunhofer-Institut für Bauphysik IBP, Stuttgart, Germany Hygrothermal simulation of the temperature and moisture distribution inside panel paintings
Kristina Holl, Katrin Janis, Max Rahrig Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung (Bavarian Administation of Castles, Gardens, and Lakes), Germany Monitoring of microclimate changes on wooden panels in Linderhof Palace.
David Thickett, Marianne Odlyha, Alessia Coccato, Terje Grontoft, Ilaria Bonaduce, Peter Vandenabeele, Maria Perla Colombini English Heritage, UK Advances in Microclimate Frame Research
Thomas Bobak & Ray Marchant Simon Bobak Studios, Ebury Street, London, UK Adapting Frames for Microclimates
Roman Kozłowski, Arkadiusz Kupczak, Łukasz Lasyk, Artur Działo, Łukasz Bratasz, Michał Łukomski The Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kracow, Poland HERIe – a web-based software for assessing risk of climate-induced damage to painted wood
Rita Gomez & Vincent Beltran J. Paul Getty Museum and Getty Conservation Institute, Los Angeles, USA Microclimate Handling Boxes for Transport: Development and Case Studies
Stephanie Carlton & Michael Field The Royal Collection, UK Framing Panels within Microclimates. An overview and case study from The Royal Collection
Kate Seymour, Sara Mateu, Jos van Och, Jean Albert Glatigny, Anne van Grevenstein SRAL, Maastricht, The Netherlands Dilemma’s about relocation of the Ghent Altarpiece