• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.22-35
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• 2021

Recently, as the climate changes rapidly and the prevalence of airborne fine particulate matter increases, the pattern of pollutants in the atmospheric environment is also changing. Therefore, the importance of studying the stability of pigments used in colored cultural properties is emerging. Hoecheong is an inorganic blue glass pigment called smalt; it is made by using cobalt as a coloring element in potash glass, and was widely used in colored cultural assets, such as murals and paintings. In this study, we collected three other hoecheong pigments to analyze their properties. The percentage of Co and K contained are different according to the manufacturer, and the smalt-3 sample has a lower cobalt content (15.1 wt.%) and higher potassium content (29.6 wt.%). After this analysis, colored specimens were prepared. Prepared specimens were exposed to ultra-violet rays, CO₂/NO₂, and NaCl, which are known to have the greatest influence on the stability of pigments. We found that factors affecting the color stability were NO₂ gas, ultra-violet rays, and water-soluble salts (NaCl). Among them, NO₂ has the most severe impact on color change of the pigments. Results of the component analysis showed that the color change depends on the potassium and cobalt content of the hoecheong pigment. Among the specimens, smalt-3 showed the most vulnerability after exposure to NO₂ gas and water-soluble salts. Pigment film stability is affected by watersoluble salts, giving rise not only to color change, but also weakening the physical properties of the film. However, there was no significant change in composition and color after exposure to CO₂ gas. In conclusion, we found that hoecheong pigments underwent color change and increased instability of the coating film when exposed to any of the atmospheric environmental factors used in this study, except for CO₂.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.133-143
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• 2022

In this study, we analyzed the rickshaw (Owned by the Daegu Modern History Museum) by measuring each material. The purpose of the study was to identify the materials in modern cultural assets that utilize a variety of materials in a complex way, and establish basic data for preservation and management. Using portable X-ray fluorescence analyzers (P-XRF), species identification, fiber identification, paint film analysis (microscope observation, SEM-EDS, FTIR) on metal, wood, fiber and paint was carried out. Brass, an alloy of Copper, Zinc and Iron, was measured in the metal parts. Further, wooden parts, such as Oak (Quercus acutissima), Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica), Bamboo (Bambusoideae). Torreya nucifera (Torreya spp.) were identified in the body. Fiber parts consisted mainly of cotton, but some parts were also made of leather. In terms of paint, rickshaws were applied with multiple layers, using cashew (synthetic paint used in place of lacquer). In sum, the rickshaw body part appeared to overlap with layers of fiber, metal (soild), paint, and colored (black, red) layer.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.31
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• pp.1-20
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• 2024

The "Buseoksa Temple Gwaebul" (1684, K969) in the possession of the National Museum of Korea is a large Buddhist hanging scroll produced for outdoor rituals (gwaebul) at the eponymous temple. The painting demonstrates the most complex composition among the existing Buddhist hanging scrolls as it depicts the Shakyamuni Buddha in the lower middle, surrounded by the Vairocana Buddha, Medicine Buddha, and Amitabha Buddha. This study examines the characteristics of the background fabric and the production methods of the scroll from Buseoksa Temple and explores the characteristics of the coloring techniques by integrating the results of a non-destructive analysis to determine the materials used for coloring. The gwaebul comprises a total of 13 panels, with 11 panels arranged side by side and one panel each added to the top and bottom. The background fabric of the painting consist of semi-transparent silk tabby for the nine panels in the center, and silk tabby for the four panels surrounding the four sides. The coloring materials used to paint the scroll were analyzed using X-ray fluorescence, and were confirmed to be inorganic pigments of red, yellow, green, blue, and white. For some parts painted in yellow and blue, the colors were expressed by first applying light white pigment before adding organic pigments. In addition, ink was used for the black lines and gold leaf was used for the patterns of the Buddhist robes. X-ray irradiation enabled the determination of the location and technique of coloring according to each pigment color by highlighting the difference in brightness depending on the main component and the thickness of each pigment.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.6
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• pp.47-54
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• 2005

The elements of the pigments used on the wall painting in Ssangyeongchong (Tomb of Two Pillars) from Goguryeo in the Nampo area of Pyeongyang were analyzed to confirm their mineral compositions and features of the painting. Specifically, the non-destructive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XRF) was used. On the other hand, the mineral composition of the background and pigment layers were analyzed using an X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The results of these analyses suggested that the lips of the characters in the painting were painted with HgS, and their faces, painted with HgS(Cinnabar/ vermilion) mixed with CaCO₃. Note that lead white pigment [2PbCO₃·Pb(OH)₂] was found only on the bottom layer of the painting, indicating that the wall painting was likely to have been created using the Secco method.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.235-247
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• 2016

Conventional imaging techniques such as ultraviolet, infrared, and X-ray are used mainly to diagnose the damaged parts of the painted cultural assets in Korea. These techniques, however, have limits in diagnosing damages of interlayer parts. We have performed and extensive study on the applicability of Terahertz(THz) analysis technique, introduced recently to this field of study on cultural properties in Korea, to diagnose painted cultural assets. The specimens, produced to imitate the damage types of Korean painted properties, were analyzed over their painting, supporting, and backing layers by terahertz pulse imaging technique. The analyzed results provided information about the cracks, the separated areas, and the separated distances between layers on the specimens. Our research, then, was extended to real painted cultural remains, Birojana Sam-shin Gwebul-do at Bongseon Temple in Namyang-ju, Korea National Treasure Number 1792, through which we have obtained 3D information about the extent and pattern of damages to the asset. These results demonstrate that terahertz 3D imaging technique has the capability of noncontact 3D diagnosis on painted cultural properties.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.44-61
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• 2015

Mural tomb in Goa-ri(Goryeong) built in the 6th Century Gaya period investigated precisely by the scientific method. They were used to optical equipments for investigation and made a damage map according to the damaging types. The mortar layer was mostly exfoliated from the rest of the wall except for the burial chamber ceiling and corridor ceiling. Also painting layers rarely not observed. Most of the paintings were damaged except lotus painting in burial chamber ceiling. Various damage types that exfoliation, earthen dirt, film coating were found in murals. Damage factors of mural were the porous characteristics of mortar layer and the movement of moisture in the murals. They were caused physical damage such as crack, exfoliation. It was getting worse and causing to secondary damage like earthen dirt, film coating.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.403-409
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• 2015

Malachite and Azurite are the typical copper system pigments which used the mural paintings since ancient times. The mural painting is at risk for damages of the painting layer by atmosphere gas because it is exposed at external environment. In this study, it did experiment about an effect to Malachite and Azurite by environmental pollution gas($NO_2$, $CO_2$, $SO_2$) then analysis and estimate about test for pieces using mural painting colored that two pigments. As a result, Malachite and Azurite were changed on $NO_2$ but not changed $CO_2$ and $SO_2$. Especially as the concentration of $NO_2$ is increased, exfoliation of the pigment layer weave remarkably formed pores on the pigment particles on SEM, the phenomenon to be pieces were observed together with smaller particles. In the case of Malachite that were exposed to $NO_2$ gas, new compounds(Rouaite : dicopper (nitrate(V) trihydroxide, $Cu_2(NO_3)(OH)_3$)) was appeared by XRD analysis. Therefore, there had been able to verify the fact that the cause exfoliation and discoloration phenomena accompanied by chemical changes for Malachite and Azurite.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.123-136
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• 2014

Considering that decision in conservation treatment for damaged objects should consider not only various options of methodology of intervention but also possible consequences of different types of intervention, it is a difficult task to decide and propose clear and safest solution of preserving an object. In addition, it should be constantly challenged by conservators even if it is proved technique or methodology in a past treatment. Therefore, there is no absolute solution which can be applied to all practice but each decision can be different case by case. It is not possible to estimate the way how the present condition of material and environmental aspects would affect to the condition of an object in future. However if conservators keep trying to set out various ways of analysing pro and against effect of past treatments, it would be able to provide useful logics of proving efficiency and appropriateness of a certain treatment. Understanding that the advantage of laser technique is to adopt a way of cleaning an object without making a direct contact, which is different from other techniques, this paper aims at securing stability of laser techniques, although it remains a limitation in the compatibility to all other materials. This study has examined reacting process on the painted pigments against laser beam by using CLSM in order for it to display both the problems from such reacting process and the efficiency of it as a cleaning methodology. It has intended to estimate the result of laser techniques and propose the range of applicability.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.77-85
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• 2018

In order to understand the influence of light artifact discoloration, priority must be given to the reaction characteristics of the light the materials constituting the product. In this study, we focus on two representative medium, animal glue and linseed oil which constitute the colored layer of the painting relics. This study is based on an accelerated degradation test using two types of light emitting diods (LEDs) with different wavelength characteristics. In the experiments, discoloration appeared markedly in the animal glue and linseed oil under accelerated aging test conditions using Blue LED. Among the two types of LEDs, the degree of discoloration of the material was much higher with the Blue LED having the total radiation flux (mW). This indicates that the discoloration of painting artifacts such as animal glue and linseed oil is more significantly influenced by the total radiation flux (mW) of the light source than the total luminous flux (lm).

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.451-458
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• 2011

This study aims at identifying wall painting production technique of Songsanri No. 6 tomb based on optical examination and scientific analysis along with the investigation of written records of ancient wall paintings. The result displays that bricks with mortar were used for the construction of the wall, and masonry joint were made of lime, sand and gypsum. The surface of brick were plastered with black and thereafter with white lime. Finely sifted clay on the top of the white surface, were applied not with plasterer's trowel but with a brush for making ground surface. The clay are mineral particles smaller than $30{\mu}m$ of silt. The wall paintings of Sonsanri No. 6 is the only example of making ground layer with clay for painting of Sasindo (literally four heavenly animals painting) among remaining wall paintings of ancient tombs. The historical value of the painting should be attributed not only in terms that it displays a rare production techniques which were never discovered in any other paintings in Korea and Asia, but also it might had been uncompleted when the tomb were closed, even though it considers the fact that the wall painting were discovered in damaged condition in 1933.