CHEMISTRY IN CULTURAL HERITAGE AND CULTURAL HERITAGE IN CHEMISTRY. RESEARCH AND EDUCATION. PAINTER AND SCULPTOR: ALONSO CANO’S PROJECTS

The starting point for this communication are two research projects funded by the Ministery of Science and Technology (Leading researcher Dr L.R. Rodriguez-Simón). These two projects are focused on the identification and characterisation of the materials used in paintings and sculptures by Alonso Cano (1601-1667), considered as one of the most original and brilliant artists from the so-called Spanish Golden Age (seventeenth century), and the founder of the baroque painting school of Granada (Spain). The full study attempts to contribute to the understanding of his artistic technique taking into account both the evolution of his painting style, as well as the reconstruction of the so called “Cano palette”. Also, the study tries to establish the necessary scientific basis on which to support the confirmation or refusal of authorship in those cases of controversial attribution which remain in the current catalogue. In addition, a further goal of these projects is a proposal regarding the theory of the most suitable restoration techniques for each of the studied works.

To achieve the above cited objectives about Alonso Cano’s pictorial work our research team aims to undertake surface investigations (including macroscopic and microscopic examinations), infrared reflectography and x-radiography; and material characterization of the ground, pigments and organic binders. In order to characterise binding media we are working on three important topics: developing more accurate and reliable methods of analysis; aging studies in artistic materials; and probing the usefulness of using chemometric approaches as valuable tools for the investigation and characterisation of painting materials.

The importance of these achievements both for the restoration of works of art and for analytical chemistry has led the team of researchers, members of the aforementioned projects, to consider the transmission of knowledge through teaching: Chemistry in Cultural Heritage and Cultural Heritage in Chemistry.

The course “Chemical Analysis of Cultural Heritage” has been imparted since 2001 to students in their last years of the Degree in Chemistry at the University of Granada (Spain). This approach to Cultural Heritage has provided Chemistry students with a new perspective on Analytical Chemistry and its relation to the analysis of artworks as well as aspects related to the Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage.

In the same way, the University Master in “Preservation and Restoration of Easel Painting. Materials and Methods”, (currently 3rd edition), is imparted to Restoration students at the University of Granada (Spain). Learning Chemistry provides humanity students with a scientific knowledge which gives them a basis of skills and abilities for a more complete professional development in restoration.