The Icon Heritage Science Group and the National Heritage Science Forum are running a series of four informal, virtual short seminars to showcase the research of emerging heritage science researchers and students as well as provide career insights from established specialists in this field.

The scope of this series embraces all aspects of heritage science and aims to connect researchers and provide a safe space to discuss ideas and progress. Each session will include two short talks of 10-15 minutes as well as an informal talk from a specialist in later stages of their career, discussing the pathway to their current position as well as describing their workplace and day-to-day tasks. We will also provide information about NHSF's pilot mentoring scheme aimed at supporting emerging heritage scientists.

The seminar talks will be followed up with an open space for questions and discussions for everyone to participate, exchange ideas and meet people with similar interests.

Seminar 1: 5th May, 16.00-17.30 (BST)

Speakers

Abed Haddad, David Booth Fellow in Conservation Science, The Museum of Modern Art in New York
Antanas Melinis, SEAHA CDT Research Student, UCL Institute of Archaeology
Dr Paola Ricciardi, Senior Research Scientist, The Fitzwilliam Museum

Abstracts

Abed Haddad - "Foundations of a Great Metaphysical Style”: Unraveling Giorgio de Chirico’s Early Palette

Properly situating Giorgio de Chirico’s metaphysical works within his lifetime is complicated due to incomplete provenances, his practice of deliberately falsifying dates, and the known existence of forgeries. De Chirico’s palette may have altered over time, due to shifts in his personal taste, changes in availability of materials, and innovations in paints; elucidating his palette and variations thereof during his metaphysical period (1911-1919) offers analytical insights that complement traditional connoisseurship when attempting to correctly position a given work within his lifetime. To this end, eleven paintings from his metaphysical period, and two in his metaphysical style but painted in the 1940s and backdated to the 1910s, were analyzed by non-destructive portable X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. Analysis of some works was further complemented with micro-destructive analysis by scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry, as well as Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. While the grounds of his paintings are variable, his metaphysical palette is consistent and includes: lead white, zinc white, ochres and umbers, magnetite, bone or ivory black, vermilion, chrome yellow, Naples yellow, copper acetoarsenite, chromium oxide green, and Prussian blue. Less commonly used pigments include cerulean blue and cadmium yellow, and the backdated paintings lack lead white and vermilion.

Antanas Melinis - Conditions for the safe storage of early glass

It is generally agreed that ancient glass deteriorates through interaction with water and is subsequently left with a hydrated, low-density, silica-rich surface layer. Object condition may therefore worsen in collections and storage unless the ambient RH is sufficiently low. Unfortunately, excessively dry conditions may cause surface dehydration and shrinkage, triggering ‘crizzling’- a damaging phenomenon defined by microcrack formation and flaking.

This study focuses on establishing a balance between humidity-induced deterioration of the pristine glass and surface crizzling by means of direct observation of experimentally corroded glass replicas subjected to various environmental changes. The bulk chemical composition of the pristine glass will then be related to the composition and morphology of its corrosion layer in order to establish a dataset in which corrosion characteristics may be linked to the history of the object.

English Heritage curates thousands of glass artefacts and some of these are in a state of advanced decay. It is anticipated that the project will provide updated guidelines for glass storage, informed by hydration rates, composition, and tendency to delaminate, to be used by English Heritage specialists as well as ancient glass custodians across other collections and institutions.

Paola Riccardi

Paola will tell the story of her professional growth and describe her day-to-day work as the Senior Research Scientist at The Fitzwilliam Museum. She will also contribute to the discussion session and give tips to any interested listeners on developing a career in this field.

Icon HSG/NHSF Emerging Heritage Science Researcher Seminar Series: 5 May