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Unfavorable Relative Humidity as a Cause of Deterioration–Risk Assessment for the Humidification of a Medieval Polychromed Wooden Panel in Historic Context
Hilger, Theresa; Holl, Kristina; Hörmann, Manuela; u. a. (2025): Unfavorable Relative Humidity as a Cause of Deterioration–Risk Assessment for the Humidification of a Medieval Polychromed Wooden Panel in Historic Context, in: Heritage : open access journal of knowledge, conservation and management of cultural and natural heritage, Basel: MDPI, Jg. 8, Nr. 12, 526, S. 1–22, doi: 10.3390/heritage8120526.
Title of the Journal:
Heritage : open access journal of knowledge, conservation and management of cultural and natural heritage
ISSN:
2571-9408
Publisher Information:
Year of publication:
2025
Volume:
8
Issue:
12, 526
Pages:
Language:
English
Abstract:
The focus of this paper is on the large-format wooden panel painting Maundy Thursday Altarpiece from Southern Germany. Its wooden support and paint layer were severely damaged due to high climatic fluctuations, above all dryness. The aim of the research project was to develop a low-risk, conservatively acceptable procedure for controlled in situ humidification. In an interdisciplinary approach, a practical monitoring concept on-site was linked to art technology analyses, surface monitoring, hygrothermal simulations, and climate chamber tests. Based on the results, an individual climate corridor for controlled humidification of the case study was developed with the help of an enclosure and im plemented in two gradual moistening phases. The combination of conservative support, measurement technology, and digital assessment allowed a controlled approach to a con servation optimum without other active interventions in the original material. The results highlight the need for object-specific strategies and humidity corridors at the interface between conservation, climate adaptation, and sustainability. A deviation from museum standard recommendations (depending on the guidelines 40–60% rH) shows the special challenges of monument preservation.
Keywords: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
wooden panel painting
climate change
in situ humidification
conservative monitoring
sustainable climate corridor
cultural heritage preservation
conservation
structured light scanning
climate chamber testing
hygrothermal simulation
Peer Reviewed:
Yes:
International Distribution:
Yes:
Open Access Journal:
Yes:
Type:
Article
Activation date:
December 16, 2025
Versioning
Question on publication
Permalink
https://fis.uni-bamberg.de/handle/uniba/112217