Wood Science and Technology III

In October 2023, the third edition of the three-day Wood Science and Technology Conference was held at the Bonnefanten in Maastricht.

Conference

This edition continued the success of the 2014 and 2016 conferences, focusing on the central theme of the 'hygro-mechanical behavior of panel paintings.' The program featured 21 presentations, complemented by moderated discussion sessions designed to encourage dialogue and inspire future research. The conference provided an in-depth exploration of complex research and treatment methods for panel paintings and related objects.

The conference was organized by SRAL, the University of Florence (Italy), and S-MA-C-H (France).

The Scientific Committee included:  Marco Fioravanti (UniFI), Cécilia Gauvin (S-MA-C-H), Luuk Hoogstede (SRAL), Chiara Manfriani (UniFI), Paola Mazzanti (UNIFI), Lorenzo Riparbelli (UniFI), Kate Seymour (SRAL).

Panel paintings

Globally, panel paintings are created using a diverse array of wood species, with construction techniques shaped by regional preferences, historical periods, individual workshops, and artistic styles. Consequently, conservation and restoration practices must adapt to this variety. Despite this adaptability, all wooden supports are susceptible to environmental factors, particularly fluctuations in humidity and temperature. These conditions can cause wood fibers to deform and layers to shift, potentially resulting in visible damage such as cracks, joint separations, and warping if not properly managed.