When you think of research into renowned artists of the 19th century, the Canadian Light Source at the University of Saskatchewan may not come to mind, but it did help to shine a light on Paul Gauguin’s artistic method.
The Chief Conservator at the National Gallery of Canada was researching what the beeswax found in the paint on one of his sculptures was for – whether it was part of the paint or was used as a protective coating.
Dr. Eric Henderson with the Canadian Conservation Institute analyzed the results from one of the CLS beamlines and came to the conclusion the beeswax was a coating.
That’s a simplified version of the research that was done.
Henderson expects the synchrotron will be a benefit for conservation science and it’s something the CCI will be using again.
The sculpture is considered an important piece in the National Gallery of Canada’s museum collection.