Development of a physical model of a typical nineteenth-century English canvas painting

The chemical and mechanical degradation of typical nineteenth-century English canvas paintings has recently been examined. A physical model of such a painting was developed, consisting of fine Ulster linen, rabbitskin glue size, and lead white/oil ground layers. The model painting composite was artificially aged and its validity assessed by comparison with archival specimens prepared by Roberson in the nineteenth century. The failure mechanisms and selected mechanical properties of the model and the archival specimens were compared. The development of such model systems will lead to a better understanding of physical deterioration processes in paintings on canvas supports and to improved approaches to conservation