NICAS Colloquium Online – 22 oktober 2026
We are pleased to announce a new, online edition of the NICAS colloquium on Thursday 8 october 2026 starting at 12.00 hrs. The colloquium will take place online through Microsoft Teams.
Throughout the year, NICAS organizes a bi-weekly Colloquium featuring short lunch lectures where researchers share updates, present new ideas, or discuss the outcomes of their work. The Colloquium aims to keep the field informed about the latest developments, foster the exchange of knowledge, and encourage collaboration.
This week’s presentations are by Kirill Shumikin (Univerisity of Amsterdam/ Università di Roma) and Catarina Rocha Pires (University of Amsterdam).
Looking for change: methodologies for studying the chemical impact of MOXY surface cleaning.
Abstract
Given the critical role of surface cleaning in conservation, understanding the underlying chemistry and potential changes in artistic materials is essential. This presentation discusses approaches for investigating how cleaning affects the chemistry of oil paint layers, based on the research carried out within the European research project MOXY, which aims to develop atomic oxygen (AO) as a surface-cleaning method. Considered questions include the direct impact of AO treatment, it’s magnitude and depth of effect, mechanisms and contextualization in the conservator’s toolkit. This talk is delivered alongside a companion presentation by Catarina Rocha Pires on the cleaning efficacy of the MOXY tool, together highlighting the value of a multidisciplinary approach for examining the same topic from complementary perspectives.
Bioraphy
Kirill Shumikhin is a PhD student under joint supervision of UvA and Sapienza University of Rome, working in the European research project MOXY. Between 2018 and 2024 he worked as a heritage scientist at the State Tretyakov gallery in Moscow. Currently his research is aimed at developing methodologies for studying the impact from the surface cleaning techniques on the chemistry of drying oils.
Cleaning unvarnished modern paintings: evaluating established and emerging approaches for sensitive surfaces
Abstract
The cleaning of unvarnished modern paintings presents a particular challenge in conservation, as water sensitivity, porosity, low cohesion, chalking and susceptibility to changes in gloss or texture can severely restrict treatment options. Building on initial results presented at a NICAS Colloquium in 2024, this presentation brings together the main findings of a PhD investigating these difficult surfaces, from understanding the material properties and degradation processes underlying their sensitivity to evaluating appropriate cleaning strategies.
An international survey of conservation practice informed the selection and development of representative oil and acrylic paint systems. Experimental studies explored how paint composition, ageing and surface characteristics influence sensitivity, soiling and response to treatment. Established and emerging cleaning approaches—including dry and gelled cleaning, soft particle blasting, laser cleaning and plasma-generated atomic oxygen (AO)—were comparatively evaluated in terms of cleaning efficacy and surface impact.
The results demonstrate that cleaning efficacy cannot be considered independently from the material and condition of the surface and highlight the limitations of conventional approaches for particularly sensitive paints. Particular attention is given to the potential and limitations of AO when conventional methods reach their limits. Together with the companion presentation examining the chemical effects of AO, this work considers its place within the wider conservator’s toolkit.
Biography
Catarina Rocha Pires is a PhD candidate in Conservation and Restoration at the University of Amsterdam, where her research focuses on the cleaning of unvarnished sensitive modern paintings within the Horizon Europe MOXY project. She holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Conservation and Restoration from NOVA School of Science and Technology in Lisbon, Portugal. Before beginning her PhD, she gained experience in conservation practice and conservation science through internships at the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE), SRAL – The Conservation Institute in Maastricht, and several museums in Lisbon.