Investigation and conservation of Anne Marie Carl-Nielsen's wax models

Abstract

The Danish sculptor Anne Marie Carl-Nielsen (1863-1945 often prepared three-dimensional models in wax before producing her works of art. The Carl Nielsen Museum in Odense keeps a unique collection of around 200 of the artist's fragile wax models. In 2008 the entire collection was examined, documented, X-ray radiographed, photographed, and conserved. Analyses of five figurines by attenuated total reflectanceFourier transform infrared spectroscopy, optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy showed two different kinds of wax mixtures, one containing beeswax and potato or maize starch as filler, and the other consisting of gypsum, zinc stearate, and a greasy substance. During the examination a specific deterioration phenomenon was noticed in the areas where the wax models had been strengthened with internal metal armatures. A chemical reaction between the wax mixture and the copper containing armature has caused an intense greenish colouring of the wax as well as creating a soft and almost liquid consistency and formation of copper(II) carboxylate salts. Based on an original recipe from Anne Marie Carl-Nielsen, a replica of one of the wax mixtures was produced and examined with respect to its infrared spectrum and its modelling properties.

Analysis and conservation of modern modeling materials found in Auguste Rodin's sculptures

“…Studies of historical use of modeling material in sculptures have been already reported (Reau, 1930; al., 1987;Mills & White, 1994;Regert et al, 2005Regert et al, , 2006Lattuati-Derieux et al, 2008;Berrie et al, 2010;Gramtorp et al, 2015). Traditionally, clay or waxy natural materials, such as beeswax, were often used for sculpture, especially during the nineteenth century.…”

“…Traditionally, clay or waxy natural materials, such as beeswax, were often used for sculpture, especially during the nineteenth century. Some additives, such as minerals, starch, or pine resin, could also be mixed with these waxy materials in order to change the physical properties or aspect (Colinart et al, 1987;Regert et al, 2005;Berrie et al, 2010;Gramtorp et al, 2015). At this time, however, some alternative synthetic materials introduced new formulations for modeling materials.…”

Lead soaps formation and biodiversity in a XVIII Century wax seal coloured with minium

“…Recently, this degradation phenomenon was observed in a beeswax model, in which metal soaps were produced by reaction between the copper containing metal (used as inner structure of wax model) and free fatty acids in the wax or fatty acids originating from hydrolysis of the wax esters (Gramtorp et al, 2015).…”

Whitish haze, soapy globules: micro-analysis of degraded burmese paintings on zinc supports

“…stearin or glyceryl tristearate, beeswax) incorporated into mineral wax, a common formulation of wax mixture recipes in the 19th century Table 2. Marker peaks were labelled [25]. It might also be possible that commercial oil paint containing zinc stearate additive was used [20], which if true, would imply that brass paint for the brown outlines was applied at a later date after 1918.…”