Conservation treatments at KMSKA supported by technical data

The Conservation Studio of KMSKA works at full speed, as the re-opening of the museum draws closer. In February, research groups AXES and ARCHES (University of Antwerp) performed in-situ research on several of the paintings that are currently undergoing conservation treatments. The Macro XRF-scanning experiments clarify which materials were used and how they were used. This helps to answer questions that arise during the conservation treatments.

MA-XRF scanning of ‘The tower of Babel’ by Tobias Verhaecht and Jan Breughel the Elder (sixteenth century), ‘The temptation of Antony Abbot of Egypt (1594) by Maerten de Vos and ‘Sitting Nude’ by Amadeo Modigliani. (c) Nina Deleu

In this video a Macro XRF-scan is performed on “The Temptation of Antony Abbot of Egypt” (1594) by Maerten de Vos. Nina Deleu (PhD student ARCHES/AXES) and Aksel La Meir (MA student Conservation-Restoration UA) set up the scan.

After in-situ chemical imaging, the processing and evaluation of the data follows. Dr. Stijn Legrand (AXES) discusses the results with Gwen Borms (Head of the Conservation Studio KMSKA) and colleagues. (c) Nina Deleu

Visit the AXES research group of the University of Antwerp for more information on chemical imaging or in situ MA-XRF scanning of paintings.