Stability study of synthetic organic pigments and dyes used in contemporary paintings

In this study we monitor and characterize the degradation products of some selected organic pigments, used in artistic field. Starting from the preparation of standard samples of pictorial films, combining the pigments with organic binders used in contemporary art (oil, acrylic, etc.), we monitor their accelerated aging process, using UVA and UVB lamps, in specific RH and temperature conditions. This process causes the formation of degradation products, which would be characterized with mass spectrometry and NMR techniques. The identification of their structures could result useful to understand principal reactions involved in pictorial film alteration and to identify optimal conditions for conservation of contemporary artworks.