Wall Painting Research Paper

Conservation Of Wall Paintings

Vedangi Deshpande, M.Arch III sem

Aim:

To study the conservation techniques and process for wall paintings.

Objectives:

To study traditional wall painting techniques used in different parts of India.

To study the deterioration factors and process for wall paintings.

To study the different methodologies used for conservation of wall paintings.

Introduction:

1. Ajanta Caves Ajanta Caves, located in Maharashtra state are one of the significant Buddhist caves dated back to 2 century B.C to 4th century A.D. Ajanta Caves is one of the rich cultural heritage which gives an identity for India. The structure, context, paintings, sculptures of these caves are the illustration of our rich Buddhist Cultural

The caves have been carved on the vertical and conclave slopes of the basalt plateau of Deccan trap which is one of the great volcanic formations, known in Indian geology. The term trap is a vague general term which denotes many igneous rocks of widely different nature but here it is used not in that sense but in Swedish meaning of stairs or steps like aspect of the weathered flat topped hills of basalt which are common features in the scenery of Deccan. Ajanta caves are the series of 29 cave related with Buddhist. It was carved in 2 century B.C. out of horseshoe shaped cliff along with Waghora River which streamed directly to caves. The Ajanta caves are situated at the head of one of the Ghats that lead down from the Indhyadri Hills, dividing the tableland of the Deccan Trap in the Tapi

Flaking of paint surface and powdering is the major issue in deterioration of paintings. For consolidation of paintings, chemical solutions are injected to avoid the flaking. The gaps between wall and painted surface are filled with lime mortar or suitable materials, so that the layer which was about to fall is now fixed to the wall. Measures like removal of old preservative coat followed by applications of fresh/preservative coat and to make the color look bright are undertaken. 3. Monitoring the humidity: The studies are being made to monitor the relative humidity and maximum minimum temperature. The studies so far indicated that there is not much of fluctuation in the temperature and it varies generally between 20 degrees to 28 degrees whereas there is a great change in relative humidity and the humid condition have given rise to the insect activity and microbiological growth.

4. Application Of Preventive Coat: After the cleaning and consolidation process are complete, the last step is application of preventive coat to the paint surface. The coat firmly fixes the paint layer to the ground and also prevents the colors from fading. The material used for coating should give a colorless transparent look. It should be resistant to the external factors and should not affect the paint surface. It should be reversible and one should be able to remove the layer when