The condition of Edvard Munch’s iconic painting titled “The Scream” has been declining for years, and scientists have figured out the reason behind the degradation.
The condition of Edvard Munch's iconic painting titled "The Scream" has been declining for years, and scientists have figured out the reason behind the degradation.
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In a recently published study, the team points to moisture as a primary factor in the changes happening to the cadmium sulfide-based oil paints used in the artwork.
https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/6/20/eaay3514
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In fact, by testing mock-ups, they found that moisture and mobile chlorine compounds were likely causing the cadmium yellow pigments in the painting to turn into white-hued cadmium sulfate and cadmium carbonate, resulting in a faded appearance.
https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/advances/6/20/eaay3514/F1.large.jpg?width=800&height=600&carousel=1 (th
Monico et al.
Science Advances
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As such, the team has recommended that relative humidity levels around the painting be kept at below 45 percent, with minimal changes to lighting, as that was not found to be a significant factor.
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