Comprehensive Research on the Preservation and Restoration of Wall-Paintings from Central Asia collected by the Otani Expedition

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Objects of Central Asian art now stored at the National Museum of Korea (Seoul) (hereafter NMK) are part of the Otani collection. The collection was donated to the Museum of Japanese Colonial Government and, after the liberation, the collection become the possession of the National Museum of Korea. Another part of the Otani collection is also stored at the Tokyo National Museum (hereafter TNM) and has been a precious source for conducting research on Central Asian wall paintings. Since the wall paintings at the NMK have not been touched since they were donated, restoration and preservation measures are required. The wall paintings at the TNM are already restored and have been on display. However, the situation of conservation techniques and concept has changed since the wall paintings at the TNM were carried out. Now, the conservation of wall paintings has advanced, one the one hand, leaving information of wall paintings, and, on the other hand, to introduce new conservation material which less affect the paintings themselves. Additionally, research of wall paintings from the art historical perspectives, such as studies of paints and manufacturing techniques, as well as from conservation science have become a standard. This research is jointly conducted by the staff of Department of Conservation Science at the NMK, as well as the researches of art history to form a Japan-Korean joint project.X-Ray Fluorescense method and digital photography were used to investigate optical analysis of colors and draft lines of three wall painting samples from the Otani collection. In the above analysis, non-destructive methods through ultraviolet and infrared beams were used. The final restoration method was decided in 2004 and carried out in the same year. The results of the research was compiled into a report.