The Science of Saving Works of Art the Subject of Two Lectures – March 18 & 19
The science of saving works of art will be the subject of two free lectures to be given by Gregory Smith, the Otto N. Frenzel III Senior Conservation Scientist at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. The lectures are sponsored by The University of Toledo's College of Communication and the Arts and College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and The Toledo Museum of Art. Friday, March 18, Smith will give a talk entitled "Disappearing Ink! Unraveling the Fading of a Modern Design Object.” It will be held at 6 p.m. In the Toledo Museum of Art Little Theater. He examines a contemporary vase from the design collection that faded badly during its first year after entering the IMA collection. This led to Smith’s exploration of its continuing lightfastness issues, an interview with the artist, and a scientific analysis of the materials of its creation. What did he discover? Join us for this talk to learn the answer and investigate what’s going on with Untitled #1176 (Elisabeth-Elizabeth), a contemporary work by artist Petah Coyne in the Toledo Museum of Art’s collection. Saturday, March 19, Smith’s talk will be "Goghing, Goghing, Gone! The Analysis of Color Fading in Masterpieces by Vincent Van Gogh.” The lecture highlights a recent collaborative project investigating color fading in Vincent van Gogh’s 1890 masterpiece, "Undergrowth with Two Figures." The artist’s use of a modern fugitive dye, present as the pigment Geranium Lake, has resulted in significant color change in the picture and a shift in the aesthetics of the artwork. A brief history of the synthesis of eosin, and of its importance in artworks of the late 1800s will be given. A virtual restoration of Undergrowth using realistic colored layers determined by micro-colorimetry of cross-sections of the painting gives a better “impression” of this post-Impressionist’s artistic efforts. This lecture will be held at 9:30 a.m. in Room 1205 of Wolfe Hall on UT’s main campus. Parking is also free.
Press Release Contact Name: Angela Riddel
Press Release Contact Email: [email protected]
Press Release Contact Phone: 419-530-2452
Organization Name: The University of Toledo Center for Performing Arts