Journey into the Ageing & Alterations of Paintings'(JAAP) 3-4 April 2025

The upcoming symposium honoring the remarkable contributions of Jaap Boon promises to be an enlightening event, bringing together experts in art conservation science. Among the highlights is a poster presentation by Caroline Bouvier from the Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging Institute (M4I) at Maastricht University. Her work focuses on establishing routine Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) imaging of paint materials, addressing analytical limitations, and facilitating data interpretation—a project in which I had the privilege to contribute.

Caroline’s research aims to enhance the analysis of paintings by developing methods to identify reliable marker ions within mass spectra, providing valuable insights into their composition. Additionally, Caroline is working on creating a user-friendly tool to display complex image information, empowering researchers, including conservators and art historians, to navigate and annotate the data from their unique perspectives.

Her work is part of the SCIMITAR project (Synergistic Combination of Immunolabeling and Molecular Imaging Technologies for Art Research), which collaborates with leading art institutions such as The Courtauld Institute of Art, SRALand the Rijksmuseum. The project aims to unlock the mysteries of paint compositions in centuries-old masterpieces, shedding light on their creation and preservation.

This symposium not only offers a platform to share advancements in the field but also serves as a celebration of Jaap Boon’s significant impact on art conservation science. I look forward to reconnecting with colleagues over the next two days and engaging in discussions that continue to push the boundaries of our understanding and preservation of artistic heritage.