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“MA-XRF imaging as a tool to characterize the 16th century heraldic stained-glass panels in Ghent Saint Bavo Cathedral”. Legrand S, van der Snickt G, Cagno S, Caen J, Janssens K, Journal of cultural heritage 40, 163 (2019). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.CULHER.2019.06.003
Abstract: MA-XRF is a novel macroscopic imaging technique originally developed for easel paintings and recently made available to glass conservators. This paper discusses the first real-life contribution of MA-XRF imaging to a conservation intervention of stained-glass panels. The six panels under study belong to the cathedral building since their creation in 1555-1559 AD. MA-XRF appeared an outstanding tool for first-line screening of stained-glass windows, providing readily interpretable information on glass type, coloring and alteration processes. In particular, the chemical imaging technique allowed distinguishing unambiguously the surviving original glass panes from later additions, thereby ensuring a correct historical understanding. From a more practical point of view, the experiments supplied accurate schemes that can be directly incorporated in condition reports and assist designing the ensuing conservation approach. (C0 2019 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Art; History; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Antwerp Cultural Heritage Sciences (ARCHES)
DOI: 10.1016/J.CULHER.2019.06.003
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“Optimal sample preparation to characterize corrosion in historical photographs with analytical TEM”. Grieten E, Caen J, Schryvers D, Microscopy and microanalysis 20, 1585 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1017/S1431927614012860
Abstract: An alternative focused ion beam preparation method is used for sampling historical photographs containing metallic nanoparticles in a polymer matrix. We use the preparation steps of classical ultra-microtomy with an alternative final sectioning with a focused ion beam. Transmission electron microscopy techniques show that the lamella has a uniform thickness, which is an important factor for analytical transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, the method maintains the spatial distribution of nanoparticles in the soft matrix. The results are compared with traditional preparation techniques such as ultra-microtomy and classical focused ion beam milling.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Antwerp Cultural Heritage Sciences (ARCHES)
Impact Factor: 1.891
DOI: 10.1017/S1431927614012860
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“Evaluation of polyvinyl alcohol–borax/agarose (PVA–B/AG) blend hydrogels for removal of deteriorated consolidants from ancient Egyptian wall paintings”. Al-Emam E, Motawea AG, Janssens K, Caen J, Heritage science 7, 22 (2019). http://doi.org/10.1186/S40494-019-0264-Z
Abstract: This study concerns the assessment of a new polyvinyl alcohol–borax/agarose blend hydrogel (PVA–B/AG) tailored for the conservation of ancient Egyptian wall paintings. The increasing problems of deteriorated consolidants affecting ancient wall paintings have attracted the interest of conservation scientists in the last 20 years. The ability of a new blend for removing aged Paraloid® B-72 layers from painted stone and plaster samples has been evaluated. The hydrogel blend was used to expose the aged Paraloid in a controlled manner to six different cleaning system (CS). CS1–CS4 consist of solvents or solvent mixtures; CS5 and CS6 are nanostructured fluids (NSFs). The evaluation of the removal process was carried out by quantitative and qualitative methods, namely, visual examination, 3D microscopy, contact angle and colorimetric measurements and by Fourier transform infra-red spectrometry in reflectance mode. The results showed that the PVA–B/AG blend hydrogel, loaded with specific cleaning systems, was able to remove deteriorated B-72 and allowed to restore the painted surface to a state close to the original one. The PVA–B/AG blend showed good workability, permitting it to be easily cut, shaped, applied and removed. It could also be verified by means of different investigation methods that the blend left no detectable residues. As a final realistic check of the method, the PVA–B/AG hydrogel loaded with the best functioning cleaning system (CS3) was used to remove an aged consolidant layer from an ancient Egyptian wall painting.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Art; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Antwerp Cultural Heritage Sciences (ARCHES)
Times cited: 2
DOI: 10.1186/S40494-019-0264-Z
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“Characterization of polyvinyl alcohol-borax/agarose (PVA-B/AG) double network hydrogel utilized for the cleaning of works of art”. Al-Emam E, Soenen H, Caen J, Janssens K, Heritage science 8, 106 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1186/S40494-020-00447-3
Abstract: Since cleaning of artworks may cause undesirable physicochemical alterations and is a nonreversible procedure, it is mandatory to adopt the proper cleaning procedure. Such a procedure should remove undesired materials whilst preserving the original surface. In this regard, numerous gels have been developed and exploited for the cleaning of various artwork surfaces. Lately, agarose (AG) and polyvinyl alcohol-borax (PVA-B) hydrogels have been widely employed as cleaning tools by conservators. Both hydrogels show some limitations in specific cleaning practices. In this work, we investigated the influence of including increased levels of agarose into PVA-B systems. For this reason, we performed a detailed characterization on the double network (DN) hydrogel including the chemical structure, the liquid phase retention, the rheological behavior, and the self-healing behavior of various PVA-B/AG double network hydrogels. These new hydrogels revealed better properties than PVA-B hydrogels and obviated their limitations. The inclusion of AG into PVA-B systems enhanced the liquid retention capacity, shape-stability, and mechanical strength of the blend. Furthermore, AG minimized the expelling/syneresis issue that occurs when loading PVA-B systems with low polarity solvents or chelating agents. The resultant double network hydrogel exhibits relevant self-healing properties. The PVA-B/AG double network is a new and useful cleaning tool that can be added to the conservators' tool-kit. It is ideal for cleaning procedures dealing with porous and complex structured surfaces, vertical surfaces and for long time applications.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Art; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Antwerp Cultural Heritage Sciences (ARCHES)
Impact Factor: 2.5
Times cited: 1
DOI: 10.1186/S40494-020-00447-3
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“Soot removal from ancient Egyptian complex painted surfaces using a double network gel : empirical tests on the ceiling of the sanctuary of Osiris in the temple of Seti I-Abydos”. Al-Emam E, Motawea AG, Caen J, Janssens K, Heritage science 9, 1 (2021). http://doi.org/10.1186/S40494-020-00473-1
Abstract: In this study, we evaluated the ease of removal of soot layers from ancient wall paintings by employing double network gels as a controllable and safe cleaning method. The ceiling of the temple of Seti I (Abydos, Egypt) is covered with thick layers of soot; this is especially the case in the sanctuary of Osiris. These layers may have been accumulated during the occupation of the temple by Christians, fleeing the Romans in the first centuries A.D. Soot particulates are one of the most common deposits to be removed during conservation-restoration activities of ancient Egyptian wall paintings. They usually mask the painted reliefs and reduce the permeability of the painted surface. A Polyvinyl alcohol-borax/agarose (PVA-B/AG) double network gel was selected for this task since its properties were expected to be compatible with the cleaning treatment requirements. The gel is characterized by its flexibility, permitting to take the shape of the reliefs, while also having self-healing properties, featuring shape stability and an appropriate capacity to retain liquid. The gel was loaded with several cleaning reagents that proved to be effective for soot removal. Soot removal tests were conducted with these gel composites. The cleaned surfaces were evaluated with the naked eye, a digital microscope, and color measurements in order to select the best gel composite. The gel composite, loaded with a solution of 5% ammonia, 0.3% ammonium carbonate, and 0.3% EDTA yielded the most satisfactory results and allowed to safely remove a crust of thick soot layers from the surface. Thus, during the final phase of the study, it was used successfully to clean a larger area of the ceiling.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Art; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Antwerp Cultural Heritage Sciences (ARCHES)
DOI: 10.1186/S40494-020-00473-1
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“Removal of a past varnish treatment from a 19th-century Belgian wall painting by means of a solvent-loaded double network hydrogel”. Al-Emam E, Beltran V, De Meyer S, Nuyts G, Wetemans V, De Wael K, Caen J, Janssens K, Polymers 13, 2651 (2021). http://doi.org/10.3390/POLYM13162651
Abstract: Polymeric materials have been used by painting conservator-restorers as consolidants and/or varnishes for wall paintings. The application of these materials is carried out when confronting loose paint layers or as a protective coating. However, these materials deteriorate and cause physiochemical alterations to the treated surface. In the past, the monumental neo-gothic wall painting 'The Last Judgment' in the chapel of Sint-Jan Berchmanscollege in Antwerp, Belgium was treated with a synthetic polymeric material. This varnish deteriorated significantly and turned brown, obscuring the paint layers. Given also that the varnish was applied to some parts of the wall painting and did not cover the entire surface, it was necessary to remove it in order to restore the original appearance of the wall painting. Previous attempts carried out by conservator-restorers made use of traditional cleaning methods, which led to damage of the fragile paint layers. Therefore, gel cleaning was proposed as a less invasive and more controllable method for gently softening and removing the varnish. The work started by identifying the paint stratigraphy and the deteriorated varnish via optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. A polyvinyl alcohol-borax/agarose (PVA-B/AG) hydrogel loaded with a number of solvents/solvent mixtures was employed in a series of tests to select the most suitable hydrogel composite. By means of the hydrogel composite loaded with 10% propylene carbonate, it was possible to safely remove the brown varnish layer. The results were verified by visual examinations (under visible light 'VIS' and ultraviolet light 'UV') as well as OM and FTIR spectroscopy.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Art; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Antwerp Cultural Heritage Sciences (ARCHES); Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab); Antwerp X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy (AXIS)
Impact Factor: 3.364
DOI: 10.3390/POLYM13162651
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“Cluster analysis of IR thermography data for differentiating glass types in historical leaded-glass windows”. Hillen M, Legrand S, Dirkx Y, Janssens K, van der Snickt G, Caen J, Steenackers G, Applied Sciences-Basel 10, 4255 (2020). http://doi.org/10.3390/APP10124255
Abstract: Infrared thermography is a fast, non-destructive and contactless testing technique which is increasingly used in heritage science. The aim of this study was to assess the ability of infrared thermography, in combination with a data clustering approach, to differentiate between the different types of historical glass that were included in a colorless leaded-glass windows during previous restoration interventions. Inspection of the thermograms and the application of two data mining techniques on the thermal data, i.e., k-means clustering and hierarchical clustering, allowed identifying different groups of window panes that show a different thermal behavior. Both clustering approaches arrive at similar groupings of the glass with a clear separation of three types. However, the lead cames that hold the glass panes appear to have a substantial impact on the thermal behavior of the surrounding glass, thus preventing classification of the smallest glass panes. For the larger panes, this was not a critical issue as the center of the glass remained unaffected. Subtle visual color differences between panes, implying a variation in coloring metal ions, was not always distinguished by IRT. Nevertheless, data clustering assisted infrared thermography shows potential as an efficient and swift method for documenting the material intervention history of leaded-glass windows during or in preparation of conservation treatments.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Antwerp Cultural Heritage Sciences (ARCHES); AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Impact Factor: 2.7
DOI: 10.3390/APP10124255
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De Vis K, Jacobs P, Caen J, Janssens K (2010) The use of glass bricks in architecture in the 19th and 20th centuries : a case study. 194–201
Keywords: P2 Proceeding; Engineering sciences. Technology; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
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“Composition and corrosion forms on archaeological and non-archaeological historic printing letters from the Moravian Museum, Memorial of Kralice Bible, the Czech Republic and the Museum Plantin-Moretus Antwerp, Belgium”. Storme P, Selucká, A, Rapouch K, Mazík M, Vanmeert F, Janssens K, Van de Voorde L, Vekemans B, Vincze L, Caen J, De Wael K, , 59 (2015)
Keywords: P1 Proceeding; Engineering sciences. Technology; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Antwerp Cultural Heritage Sciences (ARCHES)
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Schalm O, Caen J, Janssens K (2007) Chemical composition of 19th century window glass originating from stianed glass windows located in Belgium. 169–178
Keywords: P2 Proceeding; Engineering sciences. Technology; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
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Caen J, Schalm O, Janssens K (2009) 15th century stained-glass windows in the former County of Flanders : a historical and chemical study related to recent conservation campaigns. 459–466
Keywords: P2 Proceeding; Engineering sciences. Technology; History; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
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De Vis K, Cagno S, Van Mol W, Schalm O, Janssens K, Caen J (2012) The decolourization of manganese-stained glass : the conversion reaction and evaluation of its effectiveness. 463–468
Keywords: P2 Proceeding; Engineering sciences. Technology; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
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