Spectrophotometry Protocol Development
Developed a procedure to collect spectrophotometric data for objects before and after exhibition, tracking light damage over the course of longer exhibitions (in this case, approximately 9 months) to better inform future conservation decisions.
This testing was performed using X-Rite Ci62 spectrophotometer and Color iControl software.
4 pieces of fabric were used as test material (cotton jersey, cotton plain weave, silk habotai, and silk organza). The standard reading was taken, then the post reading was taken immediately after. The ∆E should be 0, so this allowed for a measurement of each method’s accuracy and margin of error.
2 main methods were tested:
2a - using a Mylar template, averaging 4 readings, lifting and replacing the template and spectrophotometer between each reading
2b - using a Mylar template, averaging 4 readings, leaving the template and spectrophotometer in place between each reading
Graph showing the ΔE from either lifting and replacing the spectrophotometer between each reading, or leaving it in place between each reading. Each method was tested with 3, 4, and 5 readings averaged out. Lifting and replacing method are the left 3 bars, leaving in place are the right 3 bars.
Same data as the left graph, but omitting the sheer plum silk data due to its inconsistency.
ΔE from the sheer plum silk fabric, all with 3 readings averaged. Lift and replace over white fabric and leaving in place over white fabric, blotter paper, 4 sheets of printer paper, and blueboard were trialed.
The four fabrics used as test samples.
