M. Járó - L. Költő szerk.: Archaeometrical research in Hungary (Budapest, 1988)
Analysis - WITTMANN Zsuzsa, BÉLAFI-RÉTI Katalin, DÉCSY Zoltán, ERDŐHALMI-TÖRÖK Klára, KISS—BENDEFY Márta, VASSÁNYI István, VELLEDITS Lajos: Examination of painting materials used by Mihály Munkácsy for his painting "Studio"
WITTMANN Zsuzsa *, BÉL AFI-RË TI Ka talin, * DÊCS Y ZOL TÁN* ERDŐHALMI— TÖRÖK Klára **, KISS-BEN DEFY Márta**, VASSÁNYI István***, VELLEDITSLajos**** EXAMINATION OF PAINTING MATERIALS USED BY MIHÁLY MUNKÁCSY FOR HIS PAINTING "STUDIO" Abstract - The authors analysed samples from the darkened, so called ''bituminous" painting "Studio" by Mihály Munkácsy (1844-1900) by means of nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, infrared spectrometry , mass spectrometry, and gas chromatography. Microscopic observations and staining tests were also carried out. With these methods different organic and inorganic components of the painting could be shown. The dark layers contained beeswax, while the presence of bitumen could not be determined. 1. Introduction Many of the priceless pictures painted by Mihály Munkácsy-because of the ground used by the master—have become darker and darker in the course of time. There are many pictures on which a large part of the surface is so dark that no details can be seen. The conservation of these pictures requires analysis of the composition of the ground and the pigments, and determination of the cause of the darkening process and, of course, the possibility of preventing its continuation. The results of the analysis of one of the most important pictures of the master entitled "Studio" provide the first steps towards giving data for knowing the master's techniques and materials. In this study we should like to give an account of our examination methods and the first results. 2. History of the painting In Paris, in his Legendre Street studio, Mihály Munkácsy painted the 160.5 x 221 cm picture entitled "Studio" or "In the Studio" (Photo 1). Dezső Malonyay, the contemporary painter gave not only an authentic description of the picture but could make its atmosphere felt [1]: "In 1876, at his wife's initiative, he stops painting a picture begun the last summer in Colpach (entitled "Exam in a village school") and paints the excellent "Studio". The picture wins again in the Salon and this assures the "Hors Concour" to Mihály Munkácsy in the exhibitions in Paris. The "Studio" is a double portrait: he painted himself and his wife as they look at a landscape in front of the fire-place of his studio of that time in Legendre Street. MunHungarian Oil and Gas Research Institute H-8201 Veszprém, József Attila u. 34. National Centre of Museums H-1087 Budapest, Könyves K_krt. 40. Veszprém University of Chemical Engineering H-8201 Veszprém, P.O.B. 158. Hungarian National Inspectorate of Historical Monuments H-1014 Budapest, Táncsics M . u. 1.
