Research sections
Conservation and Technology
Deterioration of yellow cadmium sulphide artists’ paints
Van Gogh Self Portrait 1889
Detail
The project examines the deterioration of cadmium sulphide yellow pigments used in artists paints. The investigation included identification of the pigment in paintings, including works by George Seurat and Vincent van Gogh, and associated colour and surface changes in the paintings.
This is combined with an experimental
study of historical and modern examples of the pigment, prepared
in a range of binding media, and artificial aged to characterise
the changes that may occur on ageing.
The images below show Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images
of these deteriorated pigments.
Cornelissen Light
CdS Yellow
Field 1852
