IN-PERSON London Heritages. Section B
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to introduce the PhD project VirtuAlive where a protocol will be developed for metal artworks to study the reactivity of their alloys. This protocol will help improve conservation methods and enable continuous monitoring of their interactions with the surrounding environment, without the need for direct surface analysis on the artwork. It will establish comparable units based on the composition and microstructure of the original alloys, allowing us to track responses to reactions caused by temperature and humidity fluctuations, airborne pollutants, other factors that may lead to corrosion, the formation of oxides and chlorides, and other degradation mechanisms. The first step is to define the most commonly used alloys throughout different periods: Archological Ages, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, Mannerism, Baroque, and up to contemporary art. Once we have identified these alloys, we will create a standard by analyzing our samples using various techniques under different conditions, to establish a pathway (e.g., determining the best conditions for colorimeter analysis—polished or sanded samples). Following this, we will proceed with our case studies, placing samples in real and artificial environments.This will as well allow to test protective coatings efficacy. This protocol will be applied to various case studies, such as the Bronzi di Riace and the Bronzi di Porticello. The goal of this study is to create a useful tool for museums, private collections, and exhibitions, enabling them to monitor the conservation state of their artworks during loans and exhibitions, among other applications.
Matilde Pedemonte is currently a PhD student in Chemical Sciences at the University of Genoa with a project called “VirtuAlive-Indirect Tests to Verify the Reactivity Using Comparable Alloy Units to Test Inhibitors In Vivo and in Laboratory Experiments”. She obtained a Master Degree in Methodologies for the Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage. During her internship activities she focused her research on the Museum’s Registrar department and on all activities related to the handling of artworks and their conservation during loan periods.
Roberto Spotorno is a materials scientist and engineer specialized in metallurgy and electrochemistry. He is currently an associate professor at the Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry of the University of Genoa where he is teaching metallurgy of steel and non-ferrous alloys. His research activity is focused on the study of corrosion mechanisms by applying advanced electrochemical techniques. He developed novel investigation methods for in-situ corrosion testing and software for electrochemical impedance spectroscopy data deconvolution.
Paolo Piccardo, full professor in Metallurgy at the University of Genoa (Italy), works in the field of metallurgical sciences applied to the cultural heritage since more than three decades. His activities are mostly focused in the correlation among manufacturing processes, microstructural features, mechanical properties and long period alteration of metals in various environments.
Livia Sforzini works as a Restorer Functionary at the Metals and Alloys Laboratory of the Istituto Centrale per il Restauro (ICR) in Rome, under the Ministry of Cultural Heritage. She also teaches at the Higher Education School of the same Institute. She collaborates on research and conservation projects conducted by the laboratory. Many of the works in which she has actively participated have been the subject of publications or presentations at conferences.
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Friday 27th June, 2025