“MI FUMA IL CERVELLO”: THE CONSERVATION OF ALIGHIERO BOETTI SELFPORTRAIT

Laura Rosetti1, Davide Gulotta1, Bruna Mariani2, Edoardo Guerrini3, Stefano Trasatti3, Lucia Toniolo1, Sara Goidanich1.

1 Politecnico di Milano, Dipartimento di Chimica, Materiali e Ingegneria Chimica “Giulio Natta”, Milano

2 Fonderia Artistica Battaglia, Dipartimento di Restauro, Milano

3 Università degli Studi di Milano, Dipartimento di Chimica, Milano

ABSTRACT

In “Mi Fuma il Cervello” the Artist represents himself standing up and holding a copper hose, which lets water to flow on the sculpture’s head. A hidden electric resistance heats the head and the splashing water forms a dense vapour mist, thus determining critical conservation condition due to the formation of thick and adherent carbonate deposits.

In order to preserve the patina and regain the aesthetic features of the surface, Fonderia Battaglia conducted a general conservative intervention. The application of a superficial coating to ease the removal of the deposits and to preserve the aesthetic of the bronze was evaluated in order to create a sacrificial layer.

Three siliconic commercial paints were chosen and applied to specimens that simulated the real alloy. They were subjected to accelerated ageing tests representative of the actual working condition. The preliminary characterization and the monitoring were performed by stereomicroscopy, SEM and colorimetric measurements. Coatings efficacy and durability were monitored by non-destructive in-situ Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS).

The three coatings induce limited and rather comparable initial colour variations. After ageing, the protective layers are still present but damaged and no longer continuous along the metal surface, thus showing different durability.

These results will be used to define a preventive conservation strategy and the most promising product will be applied and monitored over time.

Keywords: bronze, bronze preservation, coating, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy, monitoring.