Safe journey for works of art
After being exhibited in New York, the priceless oil paintings move on to a gallery in Paris and then to a museum in Berlin. To protect the works of art from the effects of the environment during transport and storage, they are packed in special cases made of plastic, wood and glass. The microclimate inside these cases keeps the polluted outside atmosphere at bay. But the works of art are still exposed to a certain amount of risk, because the wood, plastics and adhesives used to make the transport containers can also emit damaging substances such as acetic acid. These substances react with the oil paint, causing it to gradually degrade. The painting itself can also emit pollutant gases that build up inside the case. Similar problems can be encountered when paintings are stored in the vaults of a museum or put on display in an enclosed, climate-controlled showcase...