Lecture on microscopy of architectural painted decoration

"Microscopy for Investigation and Treatment of Historic
    Architectural Painted Decoration"
NY Microscopical Society,
Salmagundi Club
New York
May 25, 2011

Lecture by architectural conservator Tina Reichenbach
(Richbrook Conservation, New York City
<URL:http://www.richbrookconservation.com/what.html>

The evening will begin at 6:30 pm with a brief convocation of the
New York Microscopical Society, followed by Ms Reichenbach's lecture
at about 7 pm.

This event is free and open to the public.

On the evening of May 25, 2011 in the Parlor of the Salmagundi Club
at 47 5th Avenue in New York City, Architectural Conservator Tina
Reichenbach of Richbrook Conservation will present a brightly
illustrated talk for Club members, the New York Microscopical
Society, and the interested public. Ms Reichenbach will discuss
aesthetically and historically striking discoveries, uncoverings and
reconstructions of historic architectural painted
decoration,including mention of the Salmagundi Club's Dining Room.
Ms Reichenbach will describe some of her investigative and
analytical methods which make the these aesthetic advances possible.

Architectural painted surfaces are uniquely cursed by obscuring
traditions of routine redecoration or repainting in response to
changing tastes, by retouching efforts in repair, and by paint
"fatigue".  We obtain small samples of accumulated paint layer
sequences from locations of interest, and we investigate these
specimens using microscopy to discover the earliest decorative
intents for historic spaces and their overpainted surfaces.
Specialized microscopy methods enable coordinated analysis of paint
chronology, binding media and colorants, via sequencing of paint
layers in cross-section, noting characteristic binding media
fluorescences, and revealing paint pigments' colors, shapes and
optical properties in polarized light. Results of these
investigations guide efforts to conserve, reveal or replicate
historic painted decoration in architecture.  With mention of the
Salmagundi Club's renovations, illustrative case studies include the
Park Avenue Armory, and the United States Capitol Building.

Contact:

    John Scott, for the New York Microscopical Society
    646-339-6566 (please leave message
    jscottconsn<-a t->aol< . >com


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 24:51
                  Distributed: Thursday, May 12, 2011
                       Message Id: cdl-24-51-011
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