PhD defense: Lauren Dalecky

Title

Physicochemistry of artists' materials from the second half of the 20th century. Studying artists’ products from the workshop of the painter Simon Hantaï

Abstract

We studied 20th-century contemporary art materials used by post-war painters in Paris, in particular Simon Hantaï. We analyzed archival documents to initiate documentation of materials present in his studios. Chemical analysis of oil paint tubes and cans taken from his workshop showed their alteration, and raised the question of their status as reference materials. We further explored inelastic X-ray scattering spectroscopy to probe its ability to distinguish artists' pigments and differentiate between organic layers paint stratigraphies in 3D. Cryogenics was used to study chemical changes induced by irradiation. Exceptional canvas samples and a painting were studied using photoluminescence imaging, providing information on the preparatory layers employed. This collaboration with art restorers, historians and statisticians opens up new perspectives for the study of artistic materials

PhD directory

• Director: Loïc Bertrand - Research director, ENS Paris-Saclay
• Co-supervisor: Aurélia Chevalier - Contemporary art restorer
• Co-supervisor: Agnès Desolneux - CNRS Research directo, ENS Paris-Saclay

Members of the jury

• Présidente : Rachel Méallet-Renault - Professor, Université Paris-Saclay
• Rapportrice & Examinatrice : Laura Cartechini - Primo ricercatrice, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
• Rapporteur & Examinateur : Gilles Wallez - Professor, Sorbonne Université
• Examinatrice : Laurence de Viguerie - Researcher, CNRS
• Examinateur : Gérald Lelong - Associate professor, Sorbonne Université