Modelling the hygromechanics of wooden panel paintings from the cultural heritage
Résumé
The capacity of wood to withstand considerable durations of loading, provided it has been properly processed and protected against biological attacks, made it a widely used support of historical paintings. However, in panels painted on one face the asymmetry of moisture movement and resulting curvatures has often resulted in visible damage of the paint layers and, occasionally, the wood itself. Mechanical models were developed to describe the response of painted panels to humidity fluctuations. The results of the predictions will be compared to data obtained on a few panels, including the wooden support of Mona Lisa from the Louvre museum.