Evaluating the Effectiveness of Lasers for the Removal of Overpaint from a 20th C Minimalist Painting

Abstract

Recent results from laser cleaning studies on a painting from Ad Reinhardt’s “Black Square” series (1960’s) are presented. This painting, which travelled extensively, suffered various damages and at one stage was completely over-painted. Unfortunately, this overpaint is not reversible via traditional conservation methods and in this respect test cleanings have under a variety of more traditional conservation treatments. These subsequent treatments were minimally invasive and employed only small amounts of solvent or aqueous treatments, often through tissue. This has led to tests conducted using lasers as a possible means to remove the overpaint. In addition to visual examination of the cleaned areas and LIBS data, NIR and UV imaging analysis, FTIR and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy have been used to characterize the effect of laser treatments on the exposed surface. Practical and technological challenges critical to the development of a laser protocol that achieves the uniform surface appearance that minimalist works of contemporary art demand will be discussed.