ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AT ST ALBANS ABBEY: FIRST REPORT ON MEASUREMENT OF VISIBLE AND ULTRA-VIOLET LIGHT FALLING ON WALL PAINTINGS
Author(s): B Knight
Data loggers to record air temperature, relative humidity, visible and ultra-violet light have been set up in St Albans Abbey to monitor light levels falling on two recently-restored wall paintings. This is in response to the discovery that light-sensitive red lake and indigo pigments were used, and to concerns that they might start to fade now that they have been revealed. First results show that light levels are generally low, but that direct sunlight with a high ultra-violet content does fall on the paintings for about two hours per day in summer. The significance of these findings is discussed, as is the question of what are acceptable light levels for wall paintings.
- Report Number:
- 58/1994
- Series:
- AML Reports (New Series)
- Pages:
- 15
- Keywords:
- Environmental Monitoring Methological Research Pigment
