X-rays reveal why Van Gogh’s yellows turn brown
International scientists have discovered a chemical reaction that has caused the once-vivid yellows in Vincent van Gogh’s paintings to turn brown, according to a study published Monday in the United States. A super-sensitive microscopic X-ray has revealed a chemical reaction taking place where the paint meets the varnish, triggered by sunlight which causes yellow to fade, said the findings in the journal Analytical Chemistry.
“This type of cutting edge research is crucial to advance our understanding of how paintings age and should be conserved for future generations,” said Ella Hendriks of the Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam. The X-ray from the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in Grenoble, France also showed a reduction in chromium “was especially prominent in the presence of chemical compounds which contained barium and sulphur.”
That observation led scientists to believe that “Van Gogh’s technique of blending white and yellow paint might be the cause of the darkening of his yellow paint,” the study said. The best way to avoid such deterioration is to shield vulnerable artwork from ultraviolet rays and sunlight, the study authors said.
FYI Now Art Stores sell special glass that both shield and protect artwork from sunlight.
The Dutch are known for being extremely resourceful and inventive. They are incredibly good looking too! Let’s not forget that most of our top models are currently from The Netherlands! For a country about the size of Rhode Island, the people are quite brilliant! They are known for navigation, art, architecture, tulips, and of course, paint, amongst other things. They lack natural resources for the most part but like England, led the world during the 17th Century.
The Dutch Empire grew to become one of the major seafaring and economic powers of the 17th century. In the Dutch Golden Age (“Gouden Eeuw”), colonies and trading posts were established all over the world. Dutch settlement in North America began with the founding of New Amsterdam, on the southern tip of Manhattan in 1614. In South Africa, the Dutch settled the Cape Colony in 1652. By 1650, the Dutch owned 16,000 merchant ships.
Many economic historians regard the Netherlands as the first thoroughly capitalist country in the world. In early modern Europe it featured the wealthiest trading city (Amsterdam) and the first full-time stock exchange.
This one is for you Brad Rutter for good luck:
I learned this fact from Jeopardy:
The Dutch are the experts on paint. They actually produce the most expensive paint for homes on the market. It is fingerprint proof and made in the Netherlands. Therefore, it is not a suprise to me that Dutch Scientists have made this discovery regarding Van Gogh.
Jeopardy is a great way to learn interesting facts with your little ones during family time. My dad used to post questions on little pieces of paper with scotch tape all over the house for me to answer every day and it got to be ANNOYING AS HELL sometimes but he wouldn’t ever budge!! We didn’t have “Jeopardy” then. If I didn’t answer them, I would have that day’s worth plus the next and they would just keep piling up. So guess what, I answered the damn things!