Deterioration Patterns Wallpaintings

Author: Nicole Riedl

English Translation by Hans-Jürgen Schwarz and Sandra Leithäuser

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Calcareous concretions (sinter crusts)

Calcareous concretion, Roman wall-painting, grave chamber, Nehren

Calcareous concretion, Roman wall-painting, grave chamber Nehren

Precipitation of calcium carbonate on the surface of wall paintings generally begins by the formation of a fine white veil and may continue to form a white, dense calcareous concretion. It is characterized by its high stability and strong bonding with the painting. The water vapor permeability of the wall painting is reduced with the negative consequences that this may induce and the layered crust deposit(s) considerably affects their aesthetic appearance.

Framboidal efflorescence (cauliflower crust)

Framboidal efflorescence, grave chamber Nehren

Framboial efflorescence, grave chamber Nehren

The formation of firmly adhering framboidal efflorescence is characteristic for some conditions. The composition may consist of calcite (calcium carbonate) or gypsum (calcium sulfate dihydrate). Depending on the contaminants present, the efflorescence may appear whitish, yellowish, reddish or brownish. Biogenic material may be included within the crust deposits as they form.

Hygroscopic salts

Gypsum crust and hygroscopic salts, grave chamber Nehren

Gypsum crust and hygroscopic salts, grave chamber Nehren

The photograph shows darkened areas along fissures in the paint layer and topcoat of the plaster that also has crust deposits on it. This is caused by the presence of hygroscopic salts that will tend to bind moisture present in the plaster itself or originating from the ambient air. The moisture film will reflect light more giving the surface its darker appearance.

Powdery salt deposits

Powdery salt efflorescence, sodium sulfate, grave chamber Nehren

Powdery salt efflorescence, sodium sulfate, grave chamber Nehren

White, loosely adhering salt efflorescence on the plaster and the paint surface. It is characterized by small crystalline, soft, powdery efflorescence which may be formed by several different salts. The example shows sodium sulfate deposits on a repair plaster made with trass cement.

Scaling due to salt crystallization

Scaling, grave chamber Nehren

Scaling, grave chamber Nehren

The crystallizing salts can detach the painting layer or even the topcoat of the plaster. This occurs as a result of the phase transition from salt solution to salt crystals that entails an expansion so that depending on where the salts crystallize a thinner or a thicker layer may be detached.

The permeability is a measure of the ability of a porous material (often a rock or unconsolidated material) to allow fluids to pass through it. Am material with a high permeability lets the fluid pass through faster than one with a low permeability.

crystallization of a dissolved salt