Tracking Metal Oxalates and Carboxylates on Painting Surfaces by Non-invasive Reflection Mid-FTIR Spectroscopy

The occurrence of metal soaps is one of the defining issues in the conservation of painted surfaces, and one that presently leaves innumerable open questions. It is estimated that around 70% of paintings in museum collections are affected by some form of metal soap-related degradation. In recent years, significant advances have been made in the detection and characterization of these compounds through interdisciplinary approaches including conventional spectroscopy and microscopy as well as emerging synchrotron-based techniques. F. Rosi, L. Cartechini, L. Monico, F. Gabrieli, M. Vagnini, D. Buti, B. Doherty, C. Anselmi, B. G. Brunetti, C. Miliani