Summary
The processes of biodeterioration on mural paintings have often been discussed, whereas the causes of contamination have seldom been examined.
Many microorganisms responsible for the biodeterioration of paintings are of airborne origin. It follows that an investigation on the aerial microbial concentration and air movements in painted indoors is very useful.
This paper reviews the literature of mural painting biodeterioration and the aerobiological studies of painted indoors. Hypogean environments, for their particular microclimatic conditions, are not considered.
The fungal species most frequently found in the biodeterioration of wall-paintings are reported, as well as comparisons of surface contamination and aerobiological investigation.
This review shows the necessity of finding the best sampling methodologies for cultural heritage studies. The control of airborne contamination and proper sampling methods are highly important in determining treatment strategies for the conservation and prevention of microbial attack on painted surfaces.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Agarossi G., Ferrari R., Monte M., (1986) —The Basilica of St. Clemente in Rome: studies on biodeterioration. Proceeding of the Symposium «Scientific methodologies applied to works of art.» Florence, Italy 2–5 May 1984; 52–56.
Agrawal O.P., Dhawan S., Garg K.L., (1989) —Microbial deterioration of paintings: a review. Published from INTACH Conservation Centre, A-1/11 Sector-B, Aliganj Scheme, Lucknow, India; 1–51.
Bettini C., Bonadonna L., Carruba G., Giacobini C., Scioti A.M., (1982) —Un'indagine relativa alla carica microbica dei dipinti murali della Cappella degli Scrovegni. Bollettino d'Arte. Serie speciale «Giotto a Padova», n. 2;221–233.
Bianchi A., Favali M.A., Barbieri N., Bassi M., (1980) —The use of fungicides on mold-covered frescoes in S. Eusebio in Pavia. Int. Biodet. Bull.,16(245–51.
Caneva G., Nugari M.P., Salvadori O., (1991) —Biology in the conservation of works of art. ICCROM. Rome: 87–113.
Garg K.L., Dhawn S., Bhatnagar I.K., (1990) —Microbicides for preservation for wall paintings. Proceedings of the 8th International Biodeterioration and Degradation Symposium; Windsor, Ontario, Canada 26–31 August 1990:505–507.
Gargani G., (1968) —Fungus contamination of Florence art masterpieces before and after the 1966 disaster. Proceeding of the First International Biodeterioration Symposium, Southampton: 252–257.
Giacobini C., Lacerna R., (1965) —Problemi di microbiologia nel settore degli affreschi. Boll. Ist. Cent. Restauro,4383–108.
Giacobini C., Pedica M., Spinucci M., (1991) —Problems and future projects on the study of biodeterioration: mural and canvas paintings. Proceedings of the International Conference Biodeterioration of Cultural Property, Feb. 20–25, 1989, Lucknow, India: 275–286.
Giacobini C., Priori G.F., Spinucci M., (1992) —Analisi microbiologiche prima del restauro. In «La Cappella Brancacci. La scienza per Masaccio, Masolino e Filippino Lippi». Quaderni del Restauro, Milano: 90–94.
Jeffries P., (1991) —Biodeterioration of wall paintings in Canterbury Cathedral. Proceedings of the International Conference Biodeterioration of Cultural Property, Feb. 20–25, 1989, Lucknow, India: 287–293.
Karpovich-Tate N., Rebrikova N.L. (1990) —Microbial communities on damaged frescoes and building materials in the Cathedral on the Nativity of the Virgin in the Pafnutii-Borovskii Monastery, Russia. Int. Biodet.,27281–296.
Krumbein W. E., Lange C., (1978) —Decay of plaster, paintings and wall material of the interior of buildings via microbial activity. Environmental biogeochemistry and geomicrobiology. Proceedings of 3rd International Symposium on Environmental Biogeochemistry,2687–697.
Mandrioli P., Zanotti Censoni A., (1982) —L'aerobiologia degli spazi confinati di interesse artistico. Bollettino d'Arte. Serie speciale «Giotto a Padova»,2239–243.
Realini M., Barbieri N., Sala G., (1988) —Fungal growth in the Basilica of S. Vincenzo in Galliano. In: Microbial Corrosion — 1. Elsevier Applied Science, London and New York: 340–343.
Rebrikova N.L., (1984) —Isolation and investigation techniques of microscopic biodestroyer fungi developing on fresco painting and other museum objects. ICOM Committee for Conservation; 84/15/20–84/15/21.
Rebrikova N.L., (1991) —Some ecological aspects of protection of old Russian wall paintings from microbiological deterioration. Proceedings of the International Conference Biodeterioration of Cultural Property, Feb. 20–25, 1989, Lucknow, India: 294–306.
Saiz-Jimenez C., Samson R.A., (1981)a. —«Biodegradation de obras de arte. Hongos implicados en la degradacion de los frescos del monasterio de la Rabida (Huelva). Botanica Macaronesica,8–9255–264.
Saiz-Jimenez C., Samson R.A., (1981) —Microorganisms and environmental pollution as deteriorating agents of the frescoes of the Monastery of Santa Maria de la Rabida, Huelva, Spain. 6th Triennial Meeting ICOM Committee for Conservation, Ottawa 1981; 81/15/5-1–81/15/5-14.
Savulescu A., Ionita I., (1971) —Contributions to the study of the biodeterioration of the works of art and historic monuments. I. Species of fungi isolated from frescoes. Rev. Roum. Biol. Botanique, Tome16, n.5:201–206.
Sorlini C., Ranalli G., (1992) —Indagini microbiologiche sugli affreschi. In: «La Cappella Brancacci. La scienza per Masaccio, Masolino e Filippino Lippi. Quaderni del Restauro, Milano: 203–207.
Strzelczyk A. B., (1981) —Paintings and sculptures. In Microbial Biodeterioration — Economic Microbiology, vol.6; Ed. A.H. Rose, Academic Press: 220–223.
Tiano P., Gargani G., (1981) —Controlli microbiologici su alcuni affreschi fiorentini. Atti del Convegno sul Restauro delle Opere d'Arte, 2–7 Novembre 1976, Firenze, vol.I;341–358.
Tilak S.T., (1989) —Airborne fungal spores. In «Airborne pollen and fungal spores», Chap. III, Vaijayanti Prakashan, Aurangabad, India: 125–141.
Zanotti Censoni A.L., Mandrioli P., (1979) —Aerobiological investigation in Scrovegni Chapel (Padua, Italy). 3rd International Congress on the Deterioration and Preservation of Stone, Venezia, 24–27 October 1979; 699–703.
Zanotti Censoni A.L., Bettini C., Giacobini C., Mandrioli P., (1980) —Aerobiological research in enclosed spaces of historical and artistic interest. Umwelt Bundes Amt Berichte, vol.79, n. 5: 434–438.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Nugari, M.P., Realini, M. & Roccardi, A. Contamination of mural paintings by indoor airborne fungal spores. Aerobiologia 9, 131–139 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02066254
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02066254