The Master Thesis' topic presents a laboratory study of the growth of selected fungi on materials frequently used in restoration with the purpose to consolidate picture layers. Natural and synthetic materials with different properties were selected and applied on wood, canvas and glass bases. Samples on wood were prepared according to traditional stratigraphy of wooden sculptures, with a hide glue and chalk lining and oil paint. Samples on canvas followed the stratigraphy of classic oil paintings. Samples on glass contained the test material only, and were used in our experiment with the purpose of verifying the requirements of fungi for the base substrate.
The following materials for consolidation were then applied to the prepared bases: rabbit skin glue, fish glue, Lascaux medium for consolidation 4176, Beva 371, Paraloid B-72, Regalrez 1126 and Lascaux Hydro-Grund (Hydro-Sealer 2001). Additional materials applied to glass base only were: Calaton, Sokrat 2804, Plextol D498 and Plextol B500.
The samples were divided into five groups: the first group was for control purposes (not inoculated), the others were inoculated with representatives of four fungal species: Aspergillus destruens, Bjerkandera adusta, Chaetomium globosum and Aureobasidium pullulans. All samples were incubated in moist chambers with relative humidity between 55 and 80% at 15 °C, the temperature similar to that in churches and depots.
The goal of the experiment was to evaluate the appropriateness of the use of materials in conditions that support the development of fungi but may not be ideal for the artwork itself. In order to gain a broader insight into the types of fungi that thrive on the wooden items of cultural heritage, samples were taken from the altar of the church of St. Areh from Pohorje. The results of the thesis were also practically applied in the selection of the appropriate material used for the consolidation of the statue of St. Joseph from the Church of St. Danijel in Štanjel.?
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