The Structural Conservation of Panel Paintings

When paintings are transported in extreme climates, the only way to main-

tain temperature levels that will not damage paintings is through the use of

temperature-controlled vehicles.

Foam-cushion design

In the packing-case design depicted in Figure 24, the polyester urethane

foam provides shock protection for the painting. The painting should be

firmly secured within the inner case. There are two procedures that are

commonly used: (1) the painting’s frame is secured to the inner case with

metal plates and screws, or (2) the frame is held in place with strips of

foam. Shock protection in a double case design is provided by foam cush-

ions fitted between the inner and outer cases. When a packing case is

dropped, the foam cushions compress on impact, allowing the inner case

T C   T  P P 549

Polyester

urethane foam

3 1 Richard fig 24 eps

Polyester urethane foam

Polyester

urethane foam

corner pads

Polyester urethane foam corner pads

Figure 24
Interior view of the outer packing case of a
double-case packing system.

0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28

Time (hours)

Te

mp

era

tur

e(

°C

)

20

15

10

5

0

31 Richard fig 25 eps

A

1 2 5

Figure 25
Thermal half-times for three different case
designs. The cases were initially conditioned
at 20 °C environment. The half-times shown
are 1, 2, and 5 hours. Even for a well-insulated
case (such as the 5-hour half-time example),
little time is available before the case equili-
brates to a new temperature.