ABSTRACT

The vivid colors and luminosity of daylight fluorescent pigments have secured them a spot on the artists’ palette since their inception in the 1930s. However, these colorants pose unique challenges to conservators due to their complex formulations consisting of a mixture of dyes and optical brighteners impregnated in a formaldehyde-rich polymer resin. Furthermore, these pigments are often intended for display under blacklights, which accelerate fading and polymer degradation reactions and pose demanding inpainting requirements of conservators. This research provides a comprehensive report on the dye composition of pigments made by the major European and American manufacturers, as well as those sold as artists’ dry pigments. Differences in the dyes and additives were identified for the first time using liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry, while subtle variations in the resin matrix were revealed using infrared spectroscopy. Specific identification of the dye and matrix components can differentiate the pigment sources and be taken advantage of in conservation treatments. This is demonstrated in the analysis of Stefano Castronovo’s fluorescent Mona Lisa painting on a Stephen Sprouse designed silver leather motorcycle jacket. Analysis of a mid-twentieth century designer’s manual produced by the Day-Glo Corporation revealed how the pigments’ dye components have shifted over time.

摘要

自 1930 年代问世以来，日光荧光颜料的鲜艳色彩和亮度使它们在艺术家的调色板上占有一席之地。然而，这些着色剂对保护者提出了独特的挑战，因为它们的配方复杂，由浸渍在富含甲醛的聚合物树脂中的染料和荧光增白剂的混合物组成。此外，这些颜料通常用于在黑光下展示，这会加速褪色和聚合物降解反应，并对保护者提出苛刻的修补要求。这项研究提供了有关主要欧洲和美国制造商生产的颜料的染料成分以及作为艺术家干颜料出售的颜料的综合报告。首次使用液相色谱法和质谱法确定染料和添加剂的差异，同时使用红外光谱揭示了树脂基质的细微变化。染料和基质成分的具体鉴定可以区分色素来源并在保护处理中加以利用。这一点在斯蒂芬·斯普劳斯设计的银色皮革机车夹克上的 Stefano Castronovo 的荧光蒙娜丽莎画的分析中得到了证明。对 Day-Glo 公司制作的 20 世纪中期设计师手册的分析揭示了颜料的染料成分如何随着时间而变化。这一点在斯蒂芬·斯普劳斯设计的银色皮革机车夹克上的 Stefano Castronovo 的荧光蒙娜丽莎画的分析中得到了证明。对 Day-Glo 公司制作的 20 世纪中期设计师手册的分析揭示了颜料的染料成分如何随着时间而变化。这一点在斯蒂芬·斯普劳斯设计的银色皮革机车夹克上的 Stefano Castronovo 的荧光蒙娜丽莎画的分析中得到了证明。对 Day-Glo 公司制作的 20 世纪中期设计师手册的分析揭示了颜料的染料成分如何随着时间而变化。