Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Full Lecture Title — Advancing Our Understanding of the Chemo-Mechanical Response of Oil
Paint(ings): an Integrated Numerical-Experimental Study
Presenter: Emanuela Bosco, Eindhoven University of Technology
Abstract:
Oil paintings age and degrade over time due to complex chemical and physical processes, affecting their appearance and longevity. This research aims to improve our understanding of the chemo-mechanical behavior of oil paintings through an integrated numerical-experimental approach. This presentation focuses on two main topics.
First, the formation and growth of metal soaps and their consequences on the mechanical response of oil paint are investigated through a coupled chemo-mechanical damage model [1]. The model is applied to analyze two case studies representative of typical metal soap-related degradation processes observed in oil paintings, revealing the influence of the growth of crystalline metal soap on the deformation of the paint surface and the consequent development of cracking and delamination patterns.
Second, to provide accurate input parameters for the model, a new experimental methodology is proposed to characterize the time-dependent mechanical and chemical properties of small-scale paint samples subjected to natural and artificial aging. This methodology combines micro-tensile testing [2] with real-time in-situ microscopic inspections based on digital image correlation. Chemical analyses of the paint samples finally provide insights into the relation between the chemical and mechanical responses.
References
1. Eumelen, G.J.A.M., Bosco, E., Suiker, A.S.J., Hermans, J.J. (2023). Chemo-mechanical model for degradation of oil paintings by amorphous and crystalline metal soaps. European Journal of Mechanics/A Solids. 97, 104827.
2. Maraghechi S., Bosco E., Suiker A.S.J. and Hoefnagels J.P.M. (2023). Experimental characterization of the mechanical response of natural fibres: an in-situ micro-profilometry approach. Cellulose. 30, 7, p. 4225-4245.
This presentation was part of the Mechanical Insights: Shaping the Future of Museum Collection Symposium. View details and the full symposium program here: https://www.getty.edu/projects/mechanical-characterization-historic-artistic-materials/mechanical-insights-symposium/
Part of Getty Conservation Institute’s Managing Collection Environment Initiative: https://www.getty.edu/projects/managing-collection-environments-initiative/
Full Lecture Title — Advancing Our Understanding of the Chemo-Mechanical Response of Oil
Paint(ings): an Integrated Numerical-Experimental Study
Presenter: Emanuela Bosco, Eindhoven University of Technology
Abstract:
Oil paintings age and degrade over time due to complex chemical and physical processes, affecting their appearance and longevity. This research aims to improve our understanding of the chemo-mechanical behavior of oil paintings through an integrated numerical-experimental approach. This presentation focuses on two main topics.
First, the formation and growth of metal soaps and their consequences on the mechanical response of oil paint are investigated through a coupled chemo-mechanical damage model [1]. The model is applied to analyze two case studies representative of typical metal soap-related degradation processes observed in oil paintings, revealing the influence of the growth of crystalline metal soap on the deformation of the paint surface and the consequent development of cracking and delamination patterns.
Second, to provide accurate input parameters for the model, a new experimental methodology is proposed to characterize the time-dependent mechanical and chemical properties of small-scale paint samples subjected to natural and artificial aging. This methodology combines micro-tensile testing [2] with real-time in-situ microscopic inspections based on digital image correlation. Chemical analyses of the paint samples finally provide insights into the relation between the chemical and mechanical responses.
References
1. Eumelen, G.J.A.M., Bosco, E., Suiker, A.S.J., Hermans, J.J. (2023). Chemo-mechanical model for degradation of oil paintings by amorphous and crystalline metal soaps. European Journal of Mechanics/A Solids. 97, 104827.
2. Maraghechi S., Bosco E., Suiker A.S.J. and Hoefnagels J.P.M. (2023). Experimental characterization of the mechanical response of natural fibres: an in-situ micro-profilometry approach. Cellulose. 30, 7, p. 4225-4245.
This presentation was part of the Mechanical Insights: Shaping the Future of Museum Collection Symposium. View details and the full symposium program here: https://www.getty.edu/projects/mechanical-characterization-historic-artistic-materials/mechanical-insights-symposium/
Part of Getty Conservation Institute’s Managing Collection Environment Initiative: https://www.getty.edu/projects/managing-collection-environments-initiative/
