We are pleased to announce a new, online edition of the NICAS colloquium on Thursday 25 April 2024 from 12.00 to 13.00 hrs. The colloquium will take place online through Microsoft Teams. Throughout the year, NICAS organises a bi-weekly Colloquium consisting of two short research lectures. It provides researchers with the opportunity to present ideas for, updates on or results of their activities. The NICAS Colloquium allows people to stay informed on a regular basis about the latest developments and results of research and to exchange information and expertise.
The chair is Jorien Duivenvoorden (Rijksmuseum)
The presenters are Art Proaño Gaibor (Rijksgoed voor Cultureel Erfgoed) and Muriel Geldof (Rijksgoed voor Cultureel Erfgoed)
► Muriel Geldof – Van Gogh’s practice of reworking his Nuenen paintings
Abstract:
The talk focusses on the interdisciplinary investigation of Vincent van Gogh’s Poplars near Nuenen (Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam), painted in Nuenen in autumn 1885. The main aim of the research was to unravel the complex layer build-up of the painting that was made on top of another Nuenen picture and reworked by the artist, presumably later in Paris. The results of this study induced further research into Van Gogh’s paints and varnishing practice in Nuenen and Paris, targeting a group of paintings (mainly) from the Van Gogh Museum’s collection, including works that were overpainted and/or reworked. This led to new insights into Van Gogh’s (re)working practice and as such aided in the interpretation of the different stages of execution of his paintings. This work has previously been presented at the conference ‘Bridging the Gap’ in Oslo in November 2023.
Bio:
Muriel Geldof is a conservation scientist at the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands. Her research focusses on the painting materials and techniques used by 19th and early 20th century artists, especially those of Van Gogh and his contemporaries. In 2021, she started a PhD-project on Van Gogh’s painting materials under the supervision of Prof. dr. K.J. van den Berg (UvA/RCE) and Prof. dr. E. Hendriks (UvA), with the support of the Van Gogh Museum – ASML Partnership in Science.
► Art Proaño Gaibor – Uncovering Historical Dyes with a Novel Advanced Chromatographic Technique
Abstract:
This talk will introduce an innovative analytical technique that combines ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection, seamlessly integrated with high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-PDA-HRMS). It is designed for analysing a wide range of organic colorants in a single run.
The practical application of this method is exemplified by several case studies involving historically and archaeologically significant objects. For curators, art historians, and conservators, this technique offers new opportunities to investigate and preserve the rich colour history of cultural artifacts, providing a deeper understanding of historical dyeing practices and material compositions.
Bio:
Art works as a heritage scientist at the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands. His research focuses on organic colorants, their technology, and phenomenology. His expertise involves chromatographic and mass spectrometric techniques applied to the research of dyes in, among others, paintings, polychrome surfaces, and heritage on paper.