5.1 Principles and ethics of cleaning

Cleaning artwork is a delicate balance between preservation and restoration. Conservators must carefully consider the ethical implications of their actions, weighing the need to clean against the risk of altering the piece's integrity.

Proper cleaning techniques are crucial for maintaining art without causing damage. From gentle brushing to advanced laser methods, each approach has its benefits and risks. Choosing the right method requires thorough analysis and testing.

Ethical Considerations for Art Cleaning

Minimal Intervention and Reversibility

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  Thirty Years of Advancing Conservation Practice | The Getty Iris View original

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  Letting Jackson Pollock’s “Mural” Speak for Itself | Getty Iris View original

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Top images from around the web for Minimal Intervention and Reversibility

• 

  Letting Jackson Pollock’s “Mural” Speak for Itself | Getty Iris View original

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• 

  Drawing the Line: Conserving Master Drawings with a Light Touch | Getty Iris View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Thirty Years of Advancing Conservation Practice | The Getty Iris View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Letting Jackson Pollock’s “Mural” Speak for Itself | Getty Iris View original

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• 

  Drawing the Line: Conserving Master Drawings with a Light Touch | Getty Iris View original

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• Minimal intervention principle advocates using the least invasive cleaning method to achieve conservation goals
• Reversibility requires cleaning methods to avoid permanent alterations to the artwork
  • Ensures future treatments remain possible
  • Preserves the integrity of the original piece
• Balancing authenticity with cleaning needs preserves historical evidence and artistic intent
  • Requires careful consideration of what to clean and what to leave untouched
  • May involve leaving some patina or age-related changes intact

Stakeholder Consultation and Risk Assessment

• Consultation with artists, curators, and cultural heritage experts informs cleaning decisions
  • Provides diverse perspectives on the artwork's significance and intended appearance
  • Helps establish cleaning goals aligned with stakeholder interests
• Risk assessment protocols evaluate potential consequences of cleaning methods
  • Considers short-term and long-term effects on artwork integrity
  • Assesses risks to artwork longevity (material degradation, chemical reactions)
• Transparency principle requires full disclosure of cleaning methods and rationale
  • Includes documentation of materials used and techniques employed
  • Ensures accountability and facilitates future conservation efforts

Professional Guidelines and Ethical Standards

• Ethical guidelines from conservation organizations (AIC, ICOM-CC) inform cleaning decisions
  • Provide standardized frameworks for ethical considerations
  • Offer best practices developed by experienced professionals
• Adherence to professional standards ensures consistency in conservation approaches
  • Promotes responsible stewardship of cultural heritage
  • Facilitates collaboration and knowledge sharing among conservators

Risks and Benefits of Cleaning Techniques

Mechanical Cleaning Methods

• Brushing and vacuuming remove loose dirt effectively
  • Gentle and non-invasive for stable surfaces
  • Useful for initial cleaning stages
• Risks include abrasion and loss of fragile surface elements
  • Can damage friable paint or delicate textures
  • May dislodge loose fragments or flakes

Aqueous and Solvent-Based Cleaning

• Aqueous cleaning removes water-soluble dirt efficiently
  • Effective for many types of surface grime
  • Can be adjusted with pH and conductivity for specific needs
• Risks of aqueous cleaning include:
  • Swelling of certain materials (wood, paper)
  • Leaching of water-soluble components
  • Formation of tide lines (water stains)
• Solvent-based cleaning dissolves stubborn grime effectively
  • Useful for removing aged varnishes or oily residues
  • Can be tailored to specific contaminants
• Risks of solvent cleaning include:
  • Material dissolution (certain pigments or binders)
  • Color changes in sensitive areas
  • Health hazards to conservators (requires proper ventilation and PPE)

Advanced Cleaning Technologies

• Laser cleaning offers precise removal of surface contaminants
  • Highly controlled and can target specific layers
  • Non-contact method reduces mechanical stress
• Risks of laser cleaning include:
  • Thermal damage to heat-sensitive materials
  • Color changes in certain pigments (especially organics)
• Gels and emulsions provide controlled application of cleaning agents
  • Allow for longer contact time with reduced penetration
  • Can be customized for specific cleaning needs
• Potential issues with gels and emulsions:
  • Residue left behind may interact with artwork over time
  • Removal of gel residues can be challenging on porous surfaces
• Biological cleaning uses enzymes or microorganisms for targeted removal
  • Highly specific to certain substances (protein, starch)
  • Can be gentler than traditional chemical methods
• Challenges of biological cleaning:
  • Requires careful environmental control (temperature, humidity)
  • May have unexpected interactions with artwork materials

Suitability of Cleaning Methods for Art

Material Analysis and Composition Considerations

• Employ analytical techniques to identify artwork components (XRF, FTIR, SEM-EDS)
  • Provides crucial information on pigments, binders, and support materials
  • Helps predict potential reactions to cleaning agents
• Consider artwork's age and provenance when selecting cleaning methods
  • Historical materials may react differently than modern counterparts
  • Traditional techniques may require specialized cleaning approaches
• Assess current condition, including previous restorations or alterations
  • Informs decision-making on cleaning intensity and techniques
  • Helps identify vulnerable areas requiring extra caution

Stability Testing and Cultural Significance

• Thoroughly test stability and solubility of pigments, binders, and support materials
  • Conduct spot tests in inconspicuous areas
  • Observe reactions to proposed cleaning agents
• Evaluate cultural and historical significance of surface patinas or age-related changes
  • Determine whether preservation outweighs cleaning benefits
  • Consider the artwork's historical context and intended appearance
• Assess compatibility between cleaning agents and original materials
  • Prevent unintended chemical reactions or long-term degradation
  • Choose cleaning methods that complement the artwork's chemistry

Environmental Factors and Future Needs

• Consider artwork's intended display environment when selecting cleaning methods
  • Choose techniques compatible with anticipated temperature and humidity conditions
  • Account for exposure to light and atmospheric pollutants
• Anticipate future conservation needs in cleaning approach
  • Select reversible methods that allow for future interventions
  • Document cleaning process thoroughly for future conservators

Documentation of Cleaning Processes

Pre-Treatment Documentation

• Create detailed condition reports before cleaning
  • Include written descriptions of all visible conditions
  • Note areas of concern or instability
• Capture high-resolution photography of artwork
  • Document overall views and close-ups of significant areas
  • Use various lighting techniques (raking light, UV) to reveal surface details
• Record results of scientific analysis
  • Include spectral data, chemical composition information
  • Note any material identifications or dating results

Cleaning Tests and Process Documentation

• Meticulously record cleaning test results
  • Document methods, materials, and concentrations used
  • Note observed effects on artwork for each test
• Maintain step-by-step documentation of the cleaning process
  • Record any deviations from initial treatment plan
  • Provide justifications for changes in approach
• Capture photographic or video documentation of each cleaning stage
  • Ensures visual record of progress
  • Allows for comparison of before, during, and after states

Post-Treatment Records and Long-Term Monitoring

• Create detailed descriptions of cleaning outcomes
  • Note any changes in appearance or condition
  • Document any complications encountered during treatment
• Establish long-term monitoring protocols
  • Plan for regular condition checks
  • Track any changes resulting from cleaning intervention over time
• Archive all documentation in physical and digital formats
  • Ensure accessibility for future conservators and researchers
  • Use stable storage methods to preserve records long-term