Louvre Museum Experts Collaborate with CyI Researchers on Conservation of Works of Art

Well-hidden secrets in art masterpieces reveal the state-of-the-art scientific equipment installed by the "Andreas Pittas" Art Characterization Laboratories of The Cyprus Institute.

The technical capabilities of this unique equipment, used for the study of underlying layers of works of art, the detection of original designs and signatures, as well as changes to the original design, damage and subsequent interventions, were presented by French experts from the Louvre Museum to Dr Antreas Pittas, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of The Cyprus Institute.

The French experts including Dr Michel Menu, Emeritus Director of Research at C2RMF of the Louvre Museum and of the Foundation for Cultural Heritage Sciences of France, and Dr Vincent Detalle, Senior Researcher at the C2RMF of the Louvre Museum and of the Foundation for Cultural Heritage Sciences of France, are currently working closely with The Cyprus Institute’s researchers, exchanging valuable scientific knowledge for the analysis of materials and technique of historical works of art and artefacts of archaeological value.

According to the experts, state-of-the-art non-invasive machines allow the analysis of stratigraphy and the identification of the chemical substance of the dyes used by artists of the past, accurately mapping each point of the object of study. The technical infrastructure is considered particularly important for the study of the history of works of art, but also for the recording of the condition in which they are, a fact that strengthens the effort of the specialists in the maintenance process.

Dr Andreas Pittas expressed his gratitude to the team of French experts and stressed the importance of having these leading scientists at The Cyprus Institute to further enlighten the processes of analysis and conservation of colossal works of art and monumental paintings. “We look forward to continue our existing collaboration with the Louvre Museum, in order to explore even deeper masterpieces of art, as well as the personality and inspiration of great creators”, Dr Pittas noted.

STARC Assoc. Prof. Nikolas Bakirtzis, also expressed his excitement for the collaboration with the team of experts from the Louvre Museum, and stated that these incredibly specialized machines will help in the development of know-how and in the analysis of works of art of the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

“I feel extremely happy to be at The Cyprus Institute, and through this collaboration, we contribute to the recording of important elements of major projects”, said Dr Michel Menu. “Our goal is to help our colleagues at the Institute, in matters of conservation of works of art and recording important information”, he added.

Dr Vincent Detalle said that the usage of modern and specialized machines that allow for the collection of information about the materials used by the creator of a project, is crucial for the historicity of works of art. He even compared the procedure to that of an ultrasound scan of a pregnant woman, allowing researchers and conservators to analyse all the layers of the painting, the techniques used by the artist, and the way in which he placed the materials on the canvas.