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A holistic view on the role of egg yolk in Old Masters’ oil paints

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  • Ophélie Ranquet

    (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
    Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per la Scienza e Tecnologia dei Materiali (INSTM))

  • Celia Duce

    (University of Pisa)

  • Emilia Bramanti

    (Institute of Chemistry of Organo Metallic Compounds)

  • Patrick Dietemann

    (Doerner Institut, Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen)

  • Ilaria Bonaduce

    (University of Pisa)

  • Norbert Willenbacher

    (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology)

Abstract

Old Masters like Botticelli used paints containing mixtures of oils and proteins, but “how” and “why” this was done is still not understood. Here, egg yolk is used in combination with two pigments to evaluate how different repartition of proteinaceous binder can be used to control the flow behavior as well as drying kinetics and chemistry of oil paints. Stiff paints enabling pronounced impasto can be achieved, but paint stiffening due to undesired uptake of humidity from the environment can also be suppressed, depending on proteinaceous binder distribution and colloidal paint microstructure. Brushability at high pigment loading is improved via reduction of high shear viscosity and wrinkling can be suppressed adjusting a high yield stress. Egg acts as antioxidant, slowing down the onset of curing, and promoting the formation of cross-linked networks less prone to oxidative degradation compared to oil alone, which might improve the preservation of invaluable artworks.

Suggested Citation

  • Ophélie Ranquet & Celia Duce & Emilia Bramanti & Patrick Dietemann & Ilaria Bonaduce & Norbert Willenbacher, 2023. "A holistic view on the role of egg yolk in Old Masters’ oil paints," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-36859-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36859-5
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