DC6 – Unchange

DC6: Fading mechanisms and conservation challenges of felt-tip markers, highlighters and coloured pencils on paper sketches

Doctoral candidate

To be recruited

Hiring institution

National Research Council of Italy (CNR)

PhD enrolment institution

University of Perugia (UNIPG)

Main supervisor

Brenda Doherty (CNR)

Co-supervisor

Chiara Palandri (NLN)

Co-supervisor

Matija Strlič (UL)

To elucidate the degradation pathways of the main colorant classes used in felt-tip pens, highlighters and pencils (azo, xanthene, pyrene, triarylmethane, azine and indigoid dyes), through multi-scale (macro and micro) analytical investigations, including spectroscopy and imaging techniques, during both natural and artificial photofading under standard museum conditions.
To provide new insights into current conservation treatments and applied to artworks created with these writing materials, enabling the development of effective on-site conservation strategies and preventive conservation approaches for aged markers on cellulose-based substrates. The research will also make use of risk-assessment tools to relate laboratory photofading data to real exhibition conditions.

Comprehensive and open datasets of experimental colour-fading behaviour, providing reference information useful for the reconstruction and interpretation of degraded colours in felt-tip and highlighter marker artworks.
New scientific knowledge on the chemical degradation pathways of these colorants in marker pen formulations.
Evidence-based guidelines for the preservation, prediction and monitoring and long-term integrity of aged marker drawings and writings on cellulose substrates.