Blood on painting

Jan Cavanaugh <jncvngh [at] att__net> writes

>Has anyone had experience cleaning invisible blood from an oil
>painting?  More specifically it's the residue of long drips of blood
>visible only under UV light.  I'm thinking maybe a proteinaceous
>enzyme but have no idea which one and never had to deal with
>anything like this before.

Have you tried a weak peroxide solution?  Apparently the peroxide
reacts with catalase, an enzyme found commonly in blood and cells.
Even a weak drugstore solution (3%) would react, clearly forming gas
bubbles. Generally it is felt to be a weak bleach and fairly safe
because as it dries it will decompose into water and oxygen.  Good
luck,

Tom Braun
Objects Conservator
Daniels Objects Conservation Laboratory
Minnesota Historical Society
345 Kellogg boulevard West
St. Paul, MN 55102-1906
USA
651-259-3382
Fax: 651-296-9961


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 26:3
                  Distributed: Saturday, June 9, 2012
                        Message Id: cdl-26-3-005
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