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In the presented study X-ray radiography was applied in order to obtain new data and to corroborate former
results concerning the history and the conservation state of three chalcographic plates, engraved by Francis-
co de Goya. This is the first time that copperplates, representatives from different series like "Disparates",
"Caprichos" and "Desastres de la Guerra", have been studied using this technique. The radiograms provide
information about the forming process of the copper bases, they offer interesting data about their conserva-
tion state and they corroborate the knowledge about the methods and techniques that Goya used during en-
graving. The technique has also demonstrated the absence of cracks or internal damages in the studied
plates.
3. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
Due to the importance of the plates of Goya and their The study of chalcographic plates with X-ray radiog-
conservation state, at the moment, all the scientific and raphy allows to obtain images as those shown in figure 2,
technological resources must be available, first, to charac- where many interesting details, besides the engraving of
terize the damage, and later, to plan a suitable conserva- the plate, can be observed. In this work, the information
tion strategy of that special collection on the basis of sci- obtained from the three studied Goya’s plates using this
entific examination. technique is summarized.
The present radiographic study was performed in or-
der to identify and to register different items, such as
artistic technique of the engraving, damages that can not
be detected by other techniques in terms of fissures or
cracks, weldings, metal inserts, detachings of the metal
layers or differences of thickness. Three copperplates
were selected for this study according to their conserva-
tion state.
M. Lage et al.
(the stamp on the backside confirms its origin). The dif- 37, one of them appears incrusted very close to the sur-
ferences in the quality of the forming process are unable face (figure 5d), and it has been identified as a metallic
to be detected in the different studied plates without us- particle.
ing X-ray. The presence of pores and metallic inclusions in the
copper is very important both from the mechanical point
of view as well as for the corrosion behaviour.
The pores and inclusions favour the onset of cracks
when the pieces are under mechanical stresses. The pores
also favour concentration cells that promote corrosion,
and the presence of inclusions of materials different from
copper on the surface can favour galvanic corrosion.
Moreover, the presence of defects on the copper surface
should be borne in mind when restoration and cleaning
processes of the copper of the plates are considered. An-
cient coppers, with more pores than modern copper, are
less corrosion resistant, and hence, chemical cleaning
procedures adequate for modern copper can be too ag-
Figure 3 - Complete X-ray image from Desastre number 7, gressive for plates with pores and inclusions [7].
where the marks of the hammering can be observed.
the Disparate 4, that was engraved with aquatint, the X- radiographies as those shown in figure 5c can be caused
ray informs that the engrave was reinforced with a dotted by the presence of corrosion products (that always has
bit (figure 7) realized probably with an acid added over a lower density than copper) under the galvanic coating.
non-cured varnish. No inner crack or physical defect that can suppose a
serious threat for their physical integrity has been detect-
ed in any of the three studied plates.
M. Lage et al.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
REFERENCES
[5] Lage, M. Goya Ciencia y tecnología para la conser- [7] Otero, E. Las planchas calcográficas de los siglos
vación de sus matrices de grabado calcográfico in XVIII y XIX en España. Un intento para su conser-
"Ciencia y Tecnología para la Conservación de Ma- vación y restauración. (Ed.) Dirección Nacional de
trices de Grabado Calcográfico", (Ed) Fundación Investigación científica y Técnica. Madrid (1993).
BBVA, Madrid, pp. 143-166 (2005). [8] Bautista, A and Velasco, F. "La electrodeposición en
[6] Barrena, C, Blas, J., Carrete, J. and Medrano, J. M., las planchas calcográficas" in "Ciencia y Tecnología
Calcografía Nacional Catalogo General, (Ed.) Real para la Conservación de Matrices de Grabado. (Ed)
Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, Fundación BBVA, Madrid, pp. 37-58 (2005).
Calcografía Nacional. Madrid (2004).
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