MOLART was a 5-year co-operative project between art historians, restorers, analytical chemists and technical physicists funded by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). The project was launched on 1 February 1995. The objective of MOLART was the development of a scientific framework for the conservation of painted art on the molecular level. The focus of MOLART was the determination of the present chemical and physical condition of works of art produced in the period from the 15th to the 20th century.

Studies of historical paint manufacturing and workshop practice must give insight into the nature of the painter's media and the painting technique used originally. Fundamental studies are undertaken to understand the molecular aspects of ageing since this is thought to be a main cause for the continued need to treat paintings. Quantification of the changes in chemical structure across the varnish, paint layers, grounds and support is therefore an important objective within MOLART. Attention is given to the effects on the molecular level of cleaning methods, lining techniques, regeneration by solvent vapour exposure, and the Pettenkofer treatment with copaiba balsam.

Many of the traditional conservation methods are now thought to have side effects which require study on the molecular level. Studies of primary and secondary archival sources on restoration technique and museum archives are guiding the investigations of the long term effects of certain restoration methods on the present condition of paintings.

More information: Prof. Dr. Jaap Boon
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