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MSCI-330P Chemistry of Modern Painting Materials

3 Credits

This course introduces students to the chemistry behind the painting materials used by artists from the beginning of the 20th century to present. This includes the chemistry of modern synthetic pigments and dyes, acrylics, alkyds, house and environmentally friendly paints. The scientific analysis to study paintings, such as Fourier Transformed Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), Macro XRF, and Raman spectroscopy along with Laboratory experiments and trips to museums conservation labs, are also part of the course. By the end of the semester, students produce their own synthetic modern pigments, acrylic, alkyd, watercolor and oil paints, and are able to discuss the chemistry involved in each of these processes and how these different types of materials deteriorate with time. A Project involving the creation of a painting using the materials prepared in class or others proposed by the student is the final goal of this course.