Warhol's Brooke Hayward (above, 1973) was one of five key pieces used by the Tate for new research into the use of acrylic paint in the Tate AXA Art Modern Paints Project. © The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc ARS, NY and DACS, London 2009
Experts at the Tate have revealed the detailed findings of a pioneering three-year project unravelling the precise techniques used in some of the finest artwork from the past 50 years.
The results of the in-depth study of modern acrylic emulsion paints and primers, which is the first investigation of its kind anywhere in the world, will play a critical role in informing conservation efforts for the ageing masterpieces.
Surface cleaning techniques, soil accumulation and protective treatments for fragile surfaces were among the factors evaluated by a team under the leadership of Tate Senior Conservation Scientist Dr Bronwyn Ormsby, who said the research would "inform and inspire debate within the conservation and collections care professions".
One major breakthrough saw a new strategy produced for surfactant, a preservative material which boosts paints when wet but produces a grey, dirt-attracting tone when dry.
Research revealed that it can be removed by water-based cleaning products without damaging the paints, allowing major paintings to be revitalised.
Five key pieces were used in the experiments, including Warhol's Brooke Hayward, a colourful 1970 Bernard Cohen piece, Alexander Liberman's Andromeda and John Hoyland's 25.4.69.
"Acrylic is as new a painting medium as oil once was – all that's lacking is the smell of linseed oil in the studio," said Hoyland.
"I feel very strongly that the understanding of acrylic paint and research into the preservation of acrylic works of art should be an ongoing and important activity."
The Tate's Conservation Studio relies on a core team of three staff, working on up to 10 works from the gallery's 250-strong acrylic collection at any one time.
Their concluding paper also presents strong advice on issues such as the storage, display, handling and transport of acrylic paintings, which are thought to have accounted for nearly half of all paint sales during the past 30 years.
The study builds upon existing collaborations between the Tate, Los Angeles' Getty Conservation Institute and the American Dow Chemical Company, where new technologies and materials for surface cleaning modern paint surfaces are being explored.
