Characterisation of Drawing Papers for Borko Lazeski’s Cartoons (1951–56)

Maja Kostadinovska

doi:10.1515/res-2018-0001

Artikel

Characterisation of Drawing Papers for Borko Lazeski’s Cartoons (1951–56)

Maja Kostadinovska
Maja Kostadinovska, Dipl. -Ing., has a Core Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry with a professional orientation in Analytical Biochemistry received in 2007 at the Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ss Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje. She currently works as a Conservator on chemical analyses related to conservation research in the Conservation and Restoration Laboratory at the National Library in Skopje. She has research interests in the investigation of ancient artefacts and other works of art made of paper, but also in the analysis of inks and pigments on Rare Books and Manuscripts. On these and other topics of Natural Sciences and Humanities, she disseminates scientific knowledge by a number of presentations and publications, and participated in a couple of conferences as a member of the Scientific Committees.

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Abstract

This paper presents a study of the drawing papers from Borko Lazeski’s cartoons for a mural painting. The collection is comprised of more than 20 single pieces (170×500 cm) executed in charcoal, pencil, pastel, tempera and ink. The cartoons exhibit different types of damages, such as grease stains, moisture stains, cracks, flaking paint, areas of loss caused by insects and mould stains. The study included spot tests, ATR-FTIR and micro-Raman spectroscopy to characterise the artist’s papers. They were found to be a type of paper composed of partly bleached, neutral sulphite semi-chemical (NSSC) wood pulp originating from coniferous trees (softwood) with the occasional use of abaca fibres. The laboratory tests revealed slightly acidic conditions (pH=5.01–6.52), high lignin content (>5 %) and alum-rosin sizing. Infrared spectroscopy confirmed all findings of the spot tests. Micro-Raman spectroscopy showed the presence of gypsum in the papers. The study addresses conservation issues arising from the chemical nature of the paper support and highlights the need for an extended study in order to be able to make informed treatment choices.

Zusammenfassung

Charakterisierung der Zeichenpapiere für Borko Lazeskis Kartons (1951–56)

Dieser Beitrag präsentiert eine Studie der Zeichenpapiere von Borko Lazeskis Kartons für ein Wandgemälde. Die Sammlung besteht aus mehr als 20 Einzelwerken (170×500 cm), die in Kohle, Bleistift, Pastell, Tempera und Tinte ausgeführt wurden. Die Kartons weisen verschiedene Schäden auf, unter anderem Fett- und Wasserflecken, Risse, abblätternde Malschichten und Fehlstellen, die durch Insektenfraß und Schimmelbefall hervorgerufen wurden. Die Studie beinhaltet mikrochemische Tests, ATR-FTIR und µ-Ramanspektroskopie, um das verwendete Papier zu charakterisieren. Es handelt sich dabei um einen Papiertyp, der aus partiell gebleichtem, neutralem Sulfitzellstoff (NSSC, neutral sulphite semi-chemical) von Nadelhölzern besteht, der teilweise mit Abacafasern gemischt wurde. In den Untersuchungen konnte festgestellt werden, dass es sich um leicht saures Papier handelt (pH = 5,01—6,52), das einen deutlichen Ligninanteil von mehr als 5 % aufweist und mit Harzalaun geleimt wurde. Diese Ergebnisse der mikrochemischen Tests wurden durch Infrarotspektroskopie bestätigt. Die µ-Ramanspektroskopie konnte die Anwesenheit von Gips in den Kartons feststellen. Diese Studie beschäftigt sich mit konservatorischen Fragestellungen im Zusammenhang mit den chemischen Eigenschaften der Papiere und unterstreicht den Bedarf einer ausführlichen Untersuchung, um gute Behandlungsentscheidungen zu treffen.

Résumé

La caractérisation des papiers à dessin des cartons de Borko Lazeski (1951–56)

Cet article présente l’étude des papiers à dessin des cartons de Borko Lazeski pour une peinture murale. La collection comprend plus de 20 oeuvres (de 170 par 500 cm) exécutées au fusain, crayon, pastel, à la tempera et à l’encre. Les cartons présentent différents types de dégâts tels que des tâches de gras, des auréoles d’humidité, des déchirures, une couche picturale avec des pertes de matière, des zones de trous causés par des insectes et des tâches de moisisssures.

L’étude a consisté en des spots tests, des examens au spectroscope infrarouge à transformée de Fourier (FTIR) et en des tests en microspectroscopie Raman pour caractériser les papiers de l’artiste. Nous avons déterminé un seul type de papier composé d’une pulpe bois partiellement blanchie, neutre sulphite et semi-chimique (NSSC), pulpe provenant de conifères (bois tendre) avec occasionnellement ajout de fibres d’abaca. Les tests en laboratoire ont révélé un état légèrement acide (5,01 < pH <6,52), un fort contenu en lignine (>5 %) et un encollage à l’alun-colophane. La spectroscopie infrarouge a confirmé tous les résultats des spots tests. La microspectroscopie Raman a révélé la présence de gypse dans les papiers. L’étude se concentre sur les problèmes de restauration résultant de la nature chimique du support papier et souligne le besoin d’une étude plus approfondie afin de pouvoir déterminer des choix de traitements éclairés.

Keywords: cartoons; paper characterisation; acidity; ageing; FTIR analysis

About the author

Maja Kostadinovska

Maja Kostadinovska, Dipl. -Ing., has a Core Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry with a professional orientation in Analytical Biochemistry received in 2007 at the Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ss Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje. She currently works as a Conservator on chemical analyses related to conservation research in the Conservation and Restoration Laboratory at the National Library in Skopje. She has research interests in the investigation of ancient artefacts and other works of art made of paper, but also in the analysis of inks and pigments on Rare Books and Manuscripts. On these and other topics of Natural Sciences and Humanities, she disseminates scientific knowledge by a number of presentations and publications, and participated in a couple of conferences as a member of the Scientific Committees.

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank Lazo Plavevski affiliated to the Museum of the City of Skopje for providing items of the respective collection. The help of Prof. Orhideja Grupče at the Institute of Chemistry for providing corresponding equipment for spectroscopy is gratefully acknowledged.

Any other administrative, technical or material support, funding or supervision is herewith disclosed.

Appendix: Peak positions^a & FWHM values^b for control samples, drawing papers and pulp samples. Related bands to cellulose fibres, sizing and fillers are assigned.

Fibres		Cotton		Copy/Printing paper		Recycled paper		Drawing paper		Pulp from drawing paper*		Sizing/Fillers
Cellulose		3338	0.0740	3331	0.1067	3337	0.0601	3335	0.0809	3338	0.1281
		3294	0.0732			3299	0.0581	3284	0.0789	3294	0.1243
	Waxes	2899	0.0390	2898	0.0484	2914	0.0292	2903	0.0427	2898	0.0616
				1750	0.0157			1745	0.0217
								1716	0.0284			Rosin
		1737	0.0244	1735	0.0163	1734	0.0237			1737	0.0222
								1698	0.0294
		1687	0.0250	1685	0.0209			1679	0.0343
													Gelatine
		1639	0.0301	1635	0.0252	1643	0.0430	1653	0.0424	1635	0.0398
								1607	0.0369
	Lignin					1595	0.0435	1595	0.0350
								1578	0.0321	1635	0.0398

								1521	0.0314
								1512	0.0339
						1506	0.0532	1505	0.0331	1508	0.0323
		1455	0.0398					1449	0.0589	1455	0.0606
		1430	0.0490	1413	0.1751	1424	0.1053	1425	0.0673	1427	0.0708		Calcium carbonate
		1360	0.0548			1369	0.0891	1368	0.0695	1361	0.0827
		1335	0.0601			1336	0.0876	1335	0.0691	1336	0.0887
		1315	0.0655	1316	0.0875	1317	0.0922	1316	0.0774	1316	0.0988
		1280	0.0487							1278	0.0728
	Wood pulp marker					1263	0.0773	1270	0.0644
		1246	0.0435
		1234	0.0415
		1205	0.0432	1205	0.0470	1206	0.0660	1204	0.0594	1204	0.0655
		1160	0.0820	1161	0.0893	1160	0.1228	1160	0.1059	1160	0.1237			Sulphates or talcum
		1110	0.1250	1105	0.1286	1105	0.1920	1105	0.1680	1105	0.1974	Alum
		1053	0.1887	1052	0.2057	1051	0.3108	1052	0.2655	1052	0.3077
		1030	0.1955	1030	0.2252	1029	0.3614	1028	0.3000	1029	0.3306
		1000	0.1749
		984	0.1671
		895	0.0706	897	0.0653	901	0.1089	899	0.1005	897	0.1064
				874	0.1599	875	0.1134	875	0.0855
		814	0.0526	816	0.0521	814	0.0909	811	0.0761
						805	0.0912
				712	0.1122
		662	0.1260	663	0.1257	664	0.2008			662	0.1946

^a wavenumber [cm⁻¹]
^b FWHM values [cm⁻¹]
* Pulp prepared according to TAPPI T 401 (TAPPI T 401 2008; Kostadinovska et al. 2017).
Note: Peak finding threshold = 5 % of visible spectrum ordinate.

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Received: 2018-01-03

Revised: 2018-03-14

Accepted: 2018-07-26

Published Online: 2018-08-21

Published in Print: 2018-10-25

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https://doi.org/10.1515/res-2018-0001

Schlagwörter für diesen Artikel

cartoons; paper characterisation; acidity; ageing; FTIR analysis

Characterisation of Drawing Papers for Borko Lazeski’s Cartoons (1951–56)

Artikel

Abstract

Zusammenfassung

Résumé

About the author

Acknowledgements

Appendix: Peak positionsa & FWHM valuesb for control samples, drawing papers and pulp samples. Related bands to cellulose fibres, sizing and fillers are assigned.

References

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Appendix: Peak positions^a & FWHM values^b for control samples, drawing papers and pulp samples. Related bands to cellulose fibres, sizing and fillers are assigned.