Exploring Liu Kang’s Paris Practice (1929–1932): Insight into Painting Materials and Technique

This paper presents the results of an extensive study of 14 paintings by the pioneering Singapore artist Liu Kang (1911–2004). The paintings are from the National Gallery Singapore and Liu family collections. The aim of the study is to elucidate the painting technique and materials from the artist’s early oeuvre, Paris, spanning the period from 1929 to 1932. The artworks were studied with a wide array of non- and micro-invasive analytical techniques, supplemented with the historical information derived from the Liu family archives and contemporary colourmen catalogues. The results showed that the artist was able to create compositions with a limited colour palette and had a preferential use of commercially available ultramarine, viridian, chrome yellow, iron oxides, organic reds, lead white, and bone black bound in oil that was highlighted. This study identified other minor pigments that appeared as hue modifications or were used sporadically, such as cobalt blue, Prussian blue, emerald green, cadmium yellow, cobalt yellow, and zinc white. With regard to the painting technique, the artist explored different styles and demonstrated a continuous development of his brushwork and was undoubtedly influenced by Modernists’ artworks. This comprehensive technical study of Liu Kang’s paintings from the Paris phase may assist art historians and conservators in the evaluation of the artist’s early career and aid conservation diagnostics and treatment of his artworks. Furthermore, the identified painting materials can be compared with those used by other artists active in Paris during the same period.

Download Full-text

From Paris and Shanghai to Singapore: A Multidisciplinary Study in Evaluating the Provenance and Dating of Two of Liu Kang’s Paintings

Journal of Conservation Science ◽

10.12654/jcs.2021.37.4.02 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 37 (4) ◽

pp. 322-339

Author(s):

Damian Lizun

Keyword(s):

Subject Matter ◽

Analytical Methods ◽

National Gallery ◽

Digital Microscopy ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Painting Technique ◽

Painting Materials ◽

Multidisciplinary Study ◽

Technical Study ◽

The Hill

This paper focuses on the dating and provenance of two paintings, Climbing the hill and View from St. John’s Fort by the prominent Singaporean artist Liu Kang (1911–2004). Climbing the hill, from the National Gallery Singapore collection, was believed to have been created in 1937, based on the date painted by the artist. However, a non-invasive examination unveiled evidence of an underlying paint scheme and a mysterious date, 1948 or 1949. These findings prompted a comprehensive technical study of the artwork in conjunction with comparative analyses of View from St. John’s Fort (1948), from the Liu family collection. The latter artwork is considered to be depicting the same subject matter. The investigation was carried out with UVF, NIR, IRFC, XRR, digital microscopy, PLM and SEM-EDS to elucidate the materials and technique of both artworks and find characteristic patterns that could indicate a relationship between both paintings and assist in correctly dating Climbing the hill. The technical analyses were supplemented with the historical information derived from the Liu family archives. The results showed that Climbing the hill was created in 1948 or 1949 on top of an earlier composition painted in Shanghai between 1933 and 1937. As for the companion View from St. John’s Fort from 1948, the artist reused an earlier painting created in France in 1931. The analytical methods suggested that Liu Kang used almost identical pigment mixtures for creating new artworks. However, their painting technique demonstrates some differences. Overall, this study contributes to the understanding of Liu Kang’s painting materials and his working practice.

Download Full-text

Discovering the evolution of Jacques-Louis David’s portrait of Antoine-Laurent and Marie-Anne Pierrette Paulze Lavoisier

Heritage Science ◽

10.1186/s40494-021-00551-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Silvia A. Centeno ◽

Dorothy Mahon ◽

Federico Carò ◽

David Pullins

Keyword(s):

Analytical Approach ◽

Analytical Techniques ◽

Level Of Detail ◽

Oil Painting ◽

X Ray ◽

Painting Technique ◽

Maximum Coverage ◽

The Enlightenment ◽

Technical Study ◽

High Level

AbstractJacques-Louis David’s (1748–1825) iconic portrait of Antoine Laurent Lavoisier (1743–1794) and Marie-Anne Lavoisier (Marie-Anne Pierrette Paulze, 1758–1836) has come to epitomize a modern couple born of the Enlightenment. An analytical approach that combined macro-X-ray fluorescence with the examination and microanalysis of samples by Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry to investigate imprecise indications of changes to the composition observed by microscopy and infrared refectography allowed the visualization of a hidden composition with a high level of detail. The results revealed that the first version depicted not the progressive, scientific-minded couple that we see today, but their other identity, that of wealthy tax collectors and fashionable luxury consumers. The first version and the changes to the composition are placed in the context of David’s mastery of the oil painting technique by examining how he concealed colorful features in the first composition by using paint mixtures that allowed for maximum coverage with thin paint layers. The limitations of the analytical techniques used are also discussed. To our knowledge, this is the first in-depth technical study of a painting by J.-L. David.

Download Full-text

Technical study of Germolles’ wall paintings: the inputof imaging technique

Virtual Archaeology Review ◽

10.4995/var.2016.5831 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 7 (15) ◽

pp. 1 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Christian Degrigny ◽

Francesca Piqué ◽

Nutsa Papiashvili ◽

Julien Guery ◽

Alamin Mansouri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Data Management ◽

Imaging Technique ◽

Analytical Techniques ◽

Courtly Love ◽

Wall Paintings ◽

Significant Information ◽

Painting Technique ◽

Conservation Condition ◽

Technical Study ◽

Scientific Documentation

The Château de Germolles is one of the rare palace in France dating from the 14th century. The noble floor is decorated with wall paintings that are a unique example of courtly love spirit that infused the princely courts of the time. After being concealed sometime in the 19th century, the paintings were rediscovered and uncovered in the middle of the 20th century and partly restored at the end of the 1990s. No scientific documentation accompanied these interventions and important questions, such as the level of authenticity of the mural decorations and the original painting technique(s) used in the medieval times remained unanswered. The combined scientific and financial supports of COSCH Cost Action and DRAC-Burgundy enabled to study Germolles’ wall paintings using some of the most innovative imaging and analytical techniques and to address some of the questions raised. The study provided significant information on the material used in the medieval times and on the conservation condition of the paintings. The data collected is vast and varied and exposed the owners of the property to the challenges of data management.

Download Full-text

Technical examination of Liu Kang’s Paris and Shanghai painting supports (1929–1937)

Heritage Science ◽

10.1186/s40494-021-00492-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Damian Lizun ◽

Teresa Kurkiewicz ◽

Bogusław Szczupak

Keyword(s):

Light Microscopy ◽

Natural Fibres ◽

National Gallery ◽

Lead White ◽

Drying Oil ◽

Painting Materials ◽

Technical Examination ◽

Working Practices

AbstractThis article presents an overview of Liu Kang’s (1911–2004) canvas painting supports from his early artistic phases, Paris (1929–1932) and Shanghai (1932–1937). The research was conducted on 55 artworks from the collections of the National Gallery Singapore and Liu family. The technical examination of the paintings was supplemented with archival photographs of the artist at work to elucidate his practice of preparation of painting supports. The analyses conducted with light microscopy, SEM–EDS, and FTIR allowed us to characterise the structure of the canvases and identify the natural fibres and formulation of the grounds. In addition, references to contemporary colourmen catalogues, in relation to certain materials, were made. The obtained results suggest that, in both locations, Liu Kang employed commercially prepared canvases purchased by the roll or by the metre, together with bare strainers or stretchers of standard sizes. In Paris, the artist commonly used linen canvases, while in Shanghai he preferred cotton canvases, with linen used sporadically. The identified grounds from the Paris and Shanghai canvases are white and single-layered, but their formulations vary significantly between the two locations. Hence, grounds composed predominantly of lead white with extenders and drying oil as a binder are considered as exclusive to the Paris phase. However, semi-absorbent or absorbent grounds based on chalk are typical for Shanghai phase. This research contributes to the knowledge of Liu Kang’s painting materials and working practices during the pre-war period in Paris and Shanghai.

Download Full-text

Applications of a working framework for the measurement of representative learning design in Australian football

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0242336 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (11) ◽

pp. e0242336

Author(s):

Peter R. Browne ◽

Carl T. Woods ◽

Alice J. Sweeting ◽

Sam Robertson

Keyword(s):

Association Rule ◽

Analytical Techniques ◽

Competitive Environment ◽

Skill Transfer ◽

Learning Design ◽

Training Task ◽

Linear Modelling ◽

Non Linear ◽

Australian Football ◽

Insight Into

Representative learning design proposes that a training task should represent informational constraints present within a competitive environment. To assess the level of representativeness of a training task, the frequency and interaction of constraints should be measured. This study compared constraint interactions and their frequencies in training (match simulations and small sided games) with competition environments in elite Australian football. The extent to which constraints influenced kick and handball effectiveness between competition matches, match simulations and small sided games was determined. The constraints of pressure and time in possession were assessed, alongside disposal effectiveness, through an association rule algorithm. These rules were then expanded to determine whether a disposal was influenced by the preceding disposal. Disposal type differed between training and competition environments, with match simulations yielding greater representativeness compared to small sided games. The subsequent disposal was generally more effective in small sided games compared to the match simulations and competition matches. These findings offer insight into the measurement of representative learning designs through the non-linear modelling of constraint interactions. The analytical techniques utilised may assist other practitioners with the design and monitoring of training tasks intended to facilitate skill transfer from preparation to competition.

Download Full-text

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy for Medical and Dental Applications: A Comprehensive Review

European Journal of Dentistry ◽

10.1055/s-0039-1688654 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 13 (01) ◽

pp. 124-128 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Komal Zia ◽

Talal Siddiqui ◽

Saqib Ali ◽

Imran Farooq ◽

Muhammad Sohail Zafar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance ◽

Nmr Spectroscopy ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Analytical Techniques ◽

Resonance Spectroscopy ◽

Advantages And Disadvantages ◽

The Past ◽

Dental Applications ◽

Insight Into ◽

Nuclear Magnetic

AbstractNuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is one of the most significant analytical techniques that has been developed in the past few decades. A broad range of biological and nonbiological applications ranging from an individual cell to organs and tissues has been investigated through NMR. Various aspects of this technique are still under research, and many functions of the NMR are still pending a better understanding and acknowledgment. Therefore, this review is aimed at providing a general overview of the main principles, types of this technique, and the advantages and disadvantages of NMR spectroscopy. In addition, an insight into the current uses of NMR in the field of medicine and dentistry and ongoing developments of NMR spectroscopy for future applications has been discussed.

Download Full-text

Fractionation and Characterization of Petroleum Asphaltene: Focus on Metalopetroleomics

Processes ◽

10.3390/pr8111504 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (11) ◽

pp. 1504

Author(s):

Fang Zheng ◽

Quan Shi ◽

Germain Salvato Vallverdu ◽

Pierre Giusti ◽

Brice Bouyssiere

Keyword(s):

Analytical Techniques ◽

Review Article ◽

Polar Fraction ◽

Present Review ◽

Current Review ◽

Future Work ◽

Insight Into

Asphaltenes, as the heaviest and most polar fraction of petroleum, have been characterized by various analytical techniques. A variety of fractionation methods have been carried out to separate asphaltenes into multiple subfractions for further investigation, and some of them have important reference significance. The goal of the current review article is to offer insight into the multitudinous analytical techniques and fractionation methods of asphaltene analysis, following an introduction with regard to the morphologies of metals and heteroatoms in asphaltenes, as well their functions on asphaltene aggregation. Learned lessons and suggestions on possible future work conclude the present review article.

Download Full-text

Wearing comfort of two construction work uniforms

Construction Innovation ◽

10.1108/ci-06-2015-0037 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 15 (4) ◽

pp. 473-492 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Albert P.C. Chan ◽

Yang Yang ◽

Francis K.W. Wong ◽

Daniel W.M. Chan ◽

Edmond W.M. Lam

Keyword(s):

Fuzzy Logic ◽

Work Performance ◽

Analytical Techniques ◽

Well Being ◽

Construction Workers ◽

Content Type ◽

Practical Tool ◽

Questionnaire Surveys ◽

Fresh Insight ◽

Insight Into

Purpose – The aim of this study is to investigate wearing comfort of summer work uniforms judged by construction workers. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 189 male construction workers participated in a series of wear trials and questionnaire surveys in the summer of 2014. They were asked to randomly wear two types of work uniforms (i.e. uniforms A and B) in the two-day field survey and the subjective attributes of these uniforms were assessed. Three analytical techniques, namely, multiple regression, artificial neural network and fuzzy logic were used to predict wearing comfort affected by the six subjective sensations. Findings – The results revealed that fuzzy logic was a robust and practical tool for predicting wearing comfort in terms of better prediction performance and more interpretable results than the other models. Pressure attributes were further found to exert a greater effect than thermal–wet attributes on wearing comfort. Overall, the use of uniform B exhibited profound benefits on wearing comfort because it kept workers cooler, drier and more comfortable with less work performance interference than wearing uniform A. Originality/value – The findings provide a fresh insight into construction workers’ needs for work clothes, which further facilitates the improvement in the clothing tailor-made design and the enhancement of the well-being of workers.

Download Full-text

Technical Study of a set of Metallic Artifacts from the Maya Site of Lagartero, Chiapas, Mexico

MRS Proceedings ◽

10.1557/opl.2012.1383 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 1374 ◽

pp. 125-135 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Gabriela Peñuelas Guerrero ◽

Ingrid Jiménez Cosme ◽

Pilar Tapia López ◽

José Luis Ruvalcaba Sil ◽

Jesús Arenas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry ◽

Energy Dispersive Spectrometer ◽

Analytical Techniques ◽

South American ◽

X Ray ◽

Technical Study ◽

Maya Site ◽

Chichen Itza ◽

Elemental Depth ◽

Metallic Artifacts

ABSTRACTDuring the excavations made at a burial of the post-Classic Mayan period (1220-1521 A.D.) in the pyramid number 2 of the pre-Hispanic site of Lagartero, Chiapas, Mexico, a set of four small metallic artifacts depicting reptile’s heads, were recovered. The objects were in poor conservation conditions and were taken to the Metal Conservation Laboratory of the National School of Conservation (ENCRyM- INAH) for suitable cleaning and conservation treatments.Analyses allowed identifying important technological features such as gilding remains. The analytical techniques included optical microscopy followed by X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF), and Scanning Electron Microscope-coupled with Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (MEB-EDS). For the elemental depth profile a combined Particle X-Ray Emission Spectroscopy and Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (PIXE–RBS) analysis was carried out.The results indicate that the objects are made of a copper alloy, and then gilded probably using electrochemical replacement gilding (thickness has less than 1 μm). This technology has been observed in other metallic objects recovered from the Chichen-Itza Cenote in Yucatan, but it was not available in Mesoamerican areas so far. So, it could imply that these artifacts might have been imported from South American areas.

Download Full-text