Nuclear magnetic resonance analysis for treatment decisions: The case of a white sculptural environment by Louise Nevelson

In this work both solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and unilateral NMR have been applied to investigate the paint composition and to inform the treatment decision for a white sculptural environment by Louise Nevelson completed in 1977. Within ten years of installation, the sculpture required restoration and was repainted by a restorer. The restoration paint is currently stained, dirty and flaking. The original paint and the restoration paint composition were determined using solid state NMR. The original and the restoration paint were identified as an alkyd and a polyvinyl acetate paint, respectively. Pentaerythritol, a compound from the alkyd paint, was identified in the restoration layer and in some areas as a white powder on the surface of the sculpture. The original alkyd paint seemed to be in better condition than the restoration paint, suggesting that the migrated pentaerythritol had contributed to the degradation of the restoration layer. The free pentaerythritol may be a result of excess in the alkyd paint formulation rather than degradation of the original paint. The analytical study guided the decision to remove the highly degraded restoration paint. Cleaning systems using viscous carriers for the solvents were investigated and potential mechanical changes in the alkyd paint were evaluated using unilateral NMR.