Editorial

In the history of science, conservation is considered an early example of open collaborations between different scientific fields. In open collaborations, all partners engage in a self-responsible and self-initiated manner and jointly develop methods and research questions, which might generate new and unforeseen results. This double issue of Restaurator compiles nine contributions from the field of conservation science, thus continuing this long line of cooperation. With Federica Cappa, we were able to engage a committed and experienced scientist as Guest Editor, who activated her networks and brought together various current research projects.

This volume illustrates the wide range of different research methods available to scientists in the field. Riccardo Punis and Alfonso Zoleo investigated copper complexes which are suspected to play a significant role in degradation processes of paint layers using continuous wave electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (CW-EPR) as a tool for characterization. Also, we invited a review about the development of biocodicology and the study of DNA and proteins in parchment (Malissa et al.) to provide an overview over new application possibilities and advantages of relatively novel techniques in the field.

Other contributions discuss the application of well-established methods such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) on specific materials such as palm leaves used for manuscripts in Northern Thailand (Sathiyamani et al.) and China (Yi et al.) or inks applied to palm-leaf manuscripts (Yu et al.). Jembrih-Simbürger et al. demonstrate the advantages of a complementary approach of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) with fibre optics reflectance spectroscopy (FORS) and hyperspectral imaging (HSI) to gain insights into the material composition of the Dagulf Psalter, a precious Carolingian manuscript on calf parchment.

Some contributions are more oriented towards conservation measures: Sawako Sentoku and Keiko Kida explore possibilities of regaining lost information in decolourized cyanotypes using elemental mapping by XRF and compare this approach that renders an image to an intervention that actually re-establishes the lost image. Weber et al. investigated the effects of selected conservation treatments on various brown inks with a focus on their colorimetric changes caused by the respective treatments. And finally, Sarvesh Singh and Manager Singh tested modern leather samples from India chosen as infill material, employing differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), FTIR, XRD, and SEM-EDX.

Regardless of whether an in-depth understanding of the material composition of an object was at the center of interest, whether a specific damage process was analyzed or whether the main goal of the study was to enable conservators to design safe treatment strategies – the contributions we present to you will highlight the role of natural sciences in the field of conservation. Without any doubt, the outcome of well-designed and specific scientific research and the availability of quantitative data may guide decision-making processes in conservation and help to make informed choices.

The fact that exchange between conservators and scientists is not always straightforward is shown by a minor misunderstanding that we observed in the process of working together on this issue: we have noticed that for conservators “non-destructive technique” means that the piece of art can undergo analysis without being damaged, thus we refer to the piece of art when thinking about damage. And of course, conservators are inclined towards in situ analysis since it allows to gain knowledge and understanding about the object that is to be evaluated. The approach of conservation scientists, on the other hand, is geared towards the sample and whether or not it will be destroyed or “consumed” during the analysis. Thus, “non-destructive” refers to the sample being not destroyed. This example shows that in open collaborations, different ways of conceptualizing the world will meet and, in a best-case scenario, will complement each other. With this in mind, we hope that this journal will remain a platform for lively dialogue and exchange in the future and we trust that this issue will inspire more cooperation between conservators and conservation scientists.

Topical issues such as this one with its strong focus on quantitative analysis shall not discourage other contributions incorporating more qualitative research methods and/or case studies. Not all single decisions must be backed-up with (non-)destructive analysis of each individual piece to be conserved, and all of us will benefit from sharing well-discussed, transparent decisions in conservation that might serve as references when it comes to the question: What shall we do? As always, we welcome submissions covering the above-mentioned topics as well as any other paper-conservation related theme.

It was a great pleasure to work with our Guest Editor Federica Cappa and all the authors and reviewers who with their outstanding work and their diligent reports have made this special issue possible. We are grateful for their time, expertise and commitment and would like to express our gratitude to all of them.

We hope you enjoy reading!

Sigrid Eyb-Green and Ute Henniges

Editors in Chief