Description

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This unique book presents an integrated approach to the chemistry of art materials, exploring the many chemical processes involved. The Chemistry and Mechanism of Art Materials: Unsuspected Properties and Outcomes engages readers with historical vignettes detailing examples of unexpected outcomes due to materials used by known artists.

The book discusses artists' materials focusing on relevant chemical mechanisms which underlie the synthesis and deterioration of inorganic pigments in paintings, the ageing of the binder in oil paintings, and sulfation of wall paintings as well as the toxicology of these pigments and solvents used by artists. Mechanisms illustrate the stepwise structural transformation of a variety of art materials.

Based on the author's years of experience teaching college chemistry, the approach is descriptive and non-mathematical throughout. An introductory section includes a review of basic concepts and provides concise descriptions of analytical methods used in contemporary art conservation.

Additional features include:

Illustrations of chemical reactivity associated with art materials

Includes a review of chemical bonding principles, redox and mechanism writing

Covers analytical techniques used by art conservation scientists

Accessible for readers with a limited science background

Provides numerous references for readers seeking additional information

About the Author

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Michael Malin received a BS from City College of New York and a Ph.D. from Rutgers (Biochemistry). This was followed by postdoctorals at Rutgers (Organic) and then Brandeis (Bio-organic). He taught chemistry at Western Connecticut State College/University (16 years) and at Sarah Lawrence College (2 years). He covered courses in general, organic and biochemistry. At SLC, he taught a course in the chemistry of art materials, and this book came out of that experience. When not teaching, he was employed by Technicon Instruments Corporation/Bayer Diagnostics for 23 years. His role was generally to solve stability problems related to both liquid reagent formulations and machine parts in the development of automated blood analyzers. The scope of these problems varied widely; from the instability of a photo-polymerizable acrylic adhesive to the erosion of alumina shear valves. When he left industry, he resumed thinking about art materials, and found common chemical/mechanistic themes relating to stability problems. Eventually, this book was the result. His hobbies include: international travel, playing double bass in jazz groups, salsa dancing and cycling.