Jack Chambers’ mixed media paintings from the 1960s and 1970s: Painting technique and condition

Abstract

This study describes the examination and analysis of four mixed media paintings from the 1960s and 1970s by Canadian artist Jack Chambers (1931–1978). The documentary evidence about his materials and methods is summarized and compared with the results of analysis of multilayer paint samples. The combination of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) allowed the components of the paint media to be characterized: ortho-phthalate alkyd resins, iso-phthalate alkyd resins, drying oils, dammar, Pinaceae resin, and turpentine were identified in varying proportions. Many pigments and fillers were identified by FTIR and Raman and are enumerated. The effect that Chambers’ complex technique has had on the aging and degradation of the paintings is discussed. The severe cracking of the paint layers in one of the four paintings may be the result of a high proportion of dammar and turpentine diluent mixed with the alkyd paint and may also be related to the type of alkyd resin medium. Different history and environmental conditions may also be factors.

Keywords:

• Alkyd paint
• Mixed media
• FTIR
• GC-MS
• Ortho-phthalate
• Iso-phthalate
• Dammar
• Turpentine

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the following individuals for their contribution to the project: Melanie Raby (intern at CCI) for SEM-EDX analysis; Maria Sullivan (Manager, Conservation, Art Gallery of Ontario) for information and advice about the paintings and their condition; John Reeves (photographer, Toronto, Ontario) for providing access to the archival photographs; and finally John Chambers and Diego Chambers for allowing images of the paintings to be reproduced. The authors also appreciate the comments of the anonymous reviewers whose suggestions improved the quality of the manuscript.