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Establishing Tate's Conservation and Heritage Science Archive

Lead Research Organisation: Tate

Abstract

This proposal is to scope and establish Tate's physical and digital heritage science data as one accessible archive - known as the Tate Conservation and Heritage Science Archive (CHSA). It will become available for Tate and the wider heritage and global communities to access for research, research development and to support conservation practice, rendering this rich resource organised and accessible for the first time.

The rich collections forming the CHSA will include: physical samples consisting of cross-sections and single layer samples taken from works in Tate's collection and related artworks in partner institutions; a collection of synthetic organic pigments and media; several types and brands of modern paint and paint outs; a series of unique Winsor and Newton paint swatches (1945-2003); and a range of mock-up sample outputs from ongoing research projects. The born-digital collection encompasses analytical and imaging data spanning several decades, department members and analytical campaigns, all of which require much higher levels of organisation to make them effectively discoverable and searchable.

The Archive will be achieved through deployment and customisation of a new heritage science data platform Arches for Science (AfS). AfS is an open-source tool aimed at heritage scientists, other heritage professionals and organisations to enable the secure, retrieval, visualisation, comparison and sharing of heritage science and research project data. AfS will be integrated with Tate's existing Collection Management Database System - The Museum System (TMS), through the work of our Technology team to explore and evaluate options for interoperability across the two databases. This will mean the data contained in each can be viewed and searched as one system. A CHSA project team, to include: members of Tate's Technology team; conservation science and conservation management team; as well as specialists, will shape and govern the archive and connect data across multiple databases.

Supported through the RICHeS programme's additional staffing component, a 1.0 FTE Access Conservation Scientist will: support the cataloguing and archiving of Tate's physical collection; work with the Technology and Digital teams to design and support the webpage for access requests; and be critical to the establishment of the born-digital collection through AfS. This scientist will support all internal and external access requests and carry out scientific analysis of Archive collections for users where the information is not yet available in the Archive or is incomplete. The Access Conservation Scientist role will continue to be pivotal post-award, for ongoing data entry into the CHSA as a holistic collection and a national research resource.

Establishing this Archive will facilitate deeper looking into the body of existing heritage science and technical information held by Tate on the UK's collection of British and modern and contemporary art. It will allow us to ask better research questions and to develop more relevant and far-reaching research going forward. Extending this opportunity for the first time to colleagues, supporters and access users at the end of the award period will result in new queries, new research ideas and new collaborations with others exploring similar artists, materials and collections. It will facilitate and exemplify a new approach to heritage science research that will contribute to the RICHeS digital data service and the advancement of heritage science within the UK.

Publications

10 25 50
 
Description The project is on target to meet all agreed objectives outlined for the project; Management and Delivery; Governance, Risk and Mitigation; Environment & Development and Sustainability.

Management and delivery of the archive infrastructure has been to scope and define the technological infrastructure that will enable the physical and digital heritage science archive at Tate to be established - storage and discoverability. For the physical collection this has meant implementing the structures for cataloguing into Tate's existing archiving platform (The Museum System (TMS)) to enable internal management and discoverability of this collection and a full audit of the conservation archive as well as creating an inventory of more than 16,000 artwork samples . For the digital collection completion of collating the digital assets and aggregate of all bespoke analytical files to one location; to define the requirements for the conservation and heritage science archive, which has created the framework for the scoping and defining the infrastructure solution; and a comprehensive assessment of the commercially available collection management databases. For the digital collection the collection management database that will be implemented will be The Museum System: Conservation Studio (TMS:CS). This will allow for integration of data across both the physical and digital collections. The RICHeS Operational team have worked alongside Tate's Technology team to understand, collate and define requirements to ensure the right infrastructure and approach is taken. As part of the management objective, the physical and digital components of the archive have been assessed and audited - examples include samples from works of art; reference materials and swatches. In establishing the archive, we have identified and defined four main categories - Conservation Archive (Physical); Science Archive (Physical); Scientific Analysis (Digital) and Research Projects (Digital). The next step within the project timeframe is the delivery of both the defined hardware infrastructure (a collections server) and the software implementation (a collections management database TMS:CS).

All Governance, Risk and Mitigation objective continue to be met; with the implementation of a Governance Group lead by the Director of Collection Care; with Management and Operational Groups also in place to support the delivery of the project. This includes colleagues from across, Conservation, Technology, Digital and Research. The Management Group meetings are bi-monthly with agreed actions and minutes shared; this group also hold the risk register for the project. Ad hoc meetings have also taken place with colleagues across Record, Intellectual Property and Collection Management, particularly in the delivery and ongoing management of the Data Management Plans and integration with HSDS. The management of the key risk of integrating a new collection software is mitigated by moving forward with TMS:CS as this builds on Tate's existing Collection Management Database, TMS and associated internal support structures. TMS: CS templates are being developed to support our scientific data sets demonstrating it is suitability for our needs. This is directly supported by Tate's TMS team.

As part of the Environment & Development, the existing Conservation Science suite at Tate Britain has been developed to host an access portal. This PC will support discoverability of the archive as access requests come through. This includes the purchase of PCs, laptops (for mobile working) and photography grade monitors which have strong colour rendering. The Conservation Management Team will play a role in supporting access through providing access to expertise, colleagues and conservation studios where required. In addition, work to upgrade the Conservation Webpages has begun with a new system being developed by Tate Digital for external user access requests, where requests will be considered and supported where possible alongside internal priorities.

Sustainability was identified as a key object across four key areas 1). Integration into Tate's core systems (a collection server forming part of Tate's wider infrastructure) and TMS: CS both of which will be actively supported via planned technology maintenance and upgrades; 2). Ongoing support by Tate to store the physical collection across Tate Britain, Tate Stores and our Offsite Storage, with the longer-term strategic aim to bring this collection together into one single location; 3). The digital data is safely stored through Tate's Corporate back-up systems (with further work to link to Tate's preservation systems to come at a later date as the digital assets are further understood) and 4). Defining and implementing the access portal on Tate's website, aligned with Tate strategic priority of supporting the use of, and access to Tate's Collections aligned with RICHeS and HSDS requirements.
Exploitation Route Work continues in the delivery phase of the project with the delivery of both the defined hardware infrastructure (a collections server) and the software implementation (a collections management database TMS:CS); including the development of workflows, guidance for cataloguing and of course the cataloguing of key data sets into the archive. This will enable Tate and the wider heritage communities to start to discover research, research development and to support conservation practice.
Sectors Culture

Heritage

Museums and Collections

URL https://www.tate.org.uk/about-us/projects/establishing-tates-conservation-and-heritage-science-archive
 
Description As the project is not yet completed and work is focused on delivery of all the core elements that will establishing Tate's Conservation and Heritage Science Archive, there are no key impacts currently arising from the award itself. We have worked to support requests as they have come in; most notably connecting with Keio University in Japan, and the wider cultural professionals who are exploring the challenge of cultural, conservation, science and archive related data in terms of aggregation, collation and looking at existing practice from across the globe. This has resulted in a visit to Tate, and a presentation from the PI Lawson and Co-I Ormsby to this group. The access case studies for this award have included supplying Conservation Archive items for our project partner the Courtauld Institute of Art, involving PhD student, Beatrice Menegaldo, who is working within the framework of the GoGreen (Horizon Europe Green Cluster) project. This request straddled both Tate RICHeS awards via access to archived research sample mock-ups from a 2006-2009 Tate project on the cleaning of modern paints (followed by access to our equipment and facilities). We were also able to support the conservation treatment of a damaged Rothko painting at the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen's collection in Rotterdam. Co-I Ormsby travelled to examine the painting in October 2025 and delivered a small section of the archived Rothko preparatory canvas donated to Tate in 2013 which forms part of Tate's Conservation and Heritage Science Archive. This was used by the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen conservator to support the development of a retouching strategy for the damaged painting. During 2025 a request was made by the Getty Conservation Institute as part of their ESCAPE training (which provides resources to heritage scientists carrying out GCMS analysis) at Tate for data pertaining to the GCMS analysis of our modern paint collection which we will provide as raw data files in due course once a data use agreement is in place. We are also currently exploring a new potential collaboration with the University of Antwerp to explore how machine learning may allow us to extract information from our collection of over 600 Winsor and Newton paint swatches to help with the cataloguing and exploration of these valuable research resources.
Sector Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections
Impact Types Cultural

 
Description CAMA meeting - Dusseldorf Germany
Geographic Reach Europe 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to new or improved professional practice
URL https://www.th-koeln.de/en/cultural-sciences/cics---research-project---consortium-for-the-research-o...
 
Description CAMA network meeting December 2025
Geographic Reach Europe 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
URL https://www.th-koeln.de/en/cultural-sciences/cics---research-project---consortium-for-the-research-o...
 
Description Defining Green Consultation - Experts Committee
Geographic Reach Europe 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
URL https://gogreenconservation.eu/defining-green-conservation/#experts
 
Description Greenart project public training - Paris April 2025
Geographic Reach Europe 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
Impact This training, and similar events were held to educate practitioners about the new green products being produced through the 3 x Green Cluster [Horizon Europe] funded projects. https://www.greenart-project.eu/ https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101060941
URL https://www.greenart-project.eu/greenarts-public-training-in-paris/
 
Description RICHeS access case study - Mottistone Manor (Isle of Wight; National Trust) 2025
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to new or improved professional practice
Impact Prior to the analysis of these works by Tate, these paintings were relatively understudied, and this information has contributed directly to the development of a suitable conservation treatment and has sparked queries about related mid-20th C works at the National Trust (TBC).
 
Description Supporting Beatrice Menegaldo PhD student - RICHeS case study Courtauld Institute of Art, London
Geographic Reach Local/Municipal/Regional 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
URL https://gogreenconservation.eu/the-courtauld-institute-of-art/
 
Description Supporting Mar Gomez (PhD student at The Courtauld Institute) Tate RICHeS E&F project access case study.
Geographic Reach Europe 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
URL https://courtauld.ac.uk/people/mar-gomez-lobon/
 
Description Tate Conservation Lighting Policy
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to new or improved professional practice
 
Description Tate IPM policy
Geographic Reach Local/Municipal/Regional 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to new or improved professional practice
 
Description Tour for Courtauld 2nd year conservation MA students 13 May 2025
Geographic Reach Local/Municipal/Regional 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
 
Description Training of CDP candidate Georgia Millsom
Geographic Reach Local/Municipal/Regional 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
URL https://www.tate.org.uk/research/studentships/georgia-millsom
 
Description Training of CDP candidate Grace Hanrahan
Geographic Reach Local/Municipal/Regional 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
URL https://www.tate.org.uk/research/studentships/grace-hanrahan
 
Description Training of doctoral candidate Laura Homer
Geographic Reach Europe 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
URL https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3847-7082
 
Description Visit and presentation for Yu Homma; Associate Professor, Keio University, Archivist and manager, Keio Museum Commons / Keio University Art Center
Geographic Reach Asia 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
 
Description Visit from Harim You and team (Conservation Scientist / Researcher National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage (NRICH) Republic of Korea)
Geographic Reach Asia 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
 
Description Workshops for Whistler's Finish - https://www.tate.org.uk/about-us/projects/whistlers-finish
Geographic Reach Multiple continents/international 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
URL https://www.tate.org.uk/about-us/projects/whistlers-finish
 
Description Accessing Modern and Contemporary Art Materials Research
Amount £727,555 (GBP)
Funding ID AH/Z506096/1 
Organisation Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 08/2024 
End 09/2026
 
Description Sustainability, conservation, and collection care: exploring the occurrence and implications of VOCs emitted from modern and contemporary art in storage.
Amount £100,000 (GBP)
Organisation Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2026 
End 09/2030
 
Description CDP - Unexpected salt formation in 20th century oil paints and implications for condition, conservation and access to works of art (CSPC) 
Organisation Imperial College London
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This is a new AHRC CDP award through Tate, with David Payne, Imperial College, due to start Oct 2023. Tate main supervisor is Dr Lee, secondary supervisor is Dr. Ormsby. Tate will co-supervise the PhD student, hosting them on site as needed and guiding research to remain relevant to Tate's research strategy and Collection.
Collaborator Contribution Academic supervision, access to expertise, equipment and materials, award.
Impact No outputs as yet.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Collaboration with Getty Conservation Institute, USA re ESCAPE 
Organisation The Getty Conservation Institute
Country United States 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Received training on ESCAPE for scientific data (GCMS) interpretation - Tate will contribute data to this international initiative.
Collaborator Contribution Design of analytical tool and training.
Impact Contribution of Tate data to database for others to use - agreement pending.
Start Year 2024
 
Description Collaboration with Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen's collection 
Organisation Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen
Country Netherlands 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution This collaboration was in support of a damaged Rothko painting at the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen's collection. Tate team (Ormsby) travelled to examine the painting and delivered a section of the Rothko family archived canvas donated to Tate in 2013. This items belongs in the Tate Conservation and Heritage Science Archive.
Collaborator Contribution Invitation to Tate, discussions, acknowledgements in reports and outputs.
Impact The painting has been successfully conserved. Outputs are care of the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen's collection team. https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/04/29/child-damages-rothko-work-at-rotterdam-museum
Start Year 2025
 
Description Collaboration with UCL Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment, new Collaborative Doctoral Award 
Organisation University College London
Department Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Tate awarded Conservation Science a CDP in 2026 entitled: Sustainability, conservation, and collection care: exploring the occurrence and implications of VOCs emitted from modern and contemporary art in storage. This is in partnership with UCL Institute for Sustainable Heritage (ISH) and is due to commence in October 2026. Tate will provide academic supervision, access to analytical facilities and data management, student support, access to artworks as well as translation of research findings into practice and collections care policy.
Collaborator Contribution UCL will be the award giving partner, providing academic supervision and analytical facilities and data management and processing and student support.
Impact None as yet, research not commenced.
Start Year 2025
 
Description Consortium for the Research of Artists' Materials Archives (CAMA) (CSPC) 
Organisation Cultural Heritage Agency of Netherlands
Country Netherlands 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution This is a new consortium. Tate Conservation Science will provide access to our Modern Oil Paint archive and support research across the consortium objectives. We have thus far contributed to a networking grant (outcomes due in 2023).
Collaborator Contribution Restaurierungszentrum der Landeshauptstadt Düsseldorf is the coordinator, who will lead and co-oridinate the consortium and foster partnerships with others and paint manufacturers. This Collaboration agreement lays out the basis upon which The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, the Restaurierungszentrum der Landeshauptstadt Düsseldorf, the University of Amsterdam, the Technische Hochschule Köln and the Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Stuttgart establish and manage the Consortium for the Research of Artists' Materials Archives (CAMA). An initial focus of study will be the archives of the artist supplies manufacturers Talens and Lukas. The relation between the Parties: The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, the Restaurierungszentrum der Landeshauptstadt Düsseldorf, the University of Amsterdam, the Technische Hochschule Köln and the Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Stuttgart will form a network for sharing and exchanging information and expertise and for coordinating research conducted by the Parties individually or jointly. Additional network partners may be recruited under the terms of the arrangement covered by this agreement. RCE and RZ each have bilateral legal agreements with Royal Talens and Lukas Nerchau GmbH respectively that define the conditions for accessing, researching and publishing materials from the Talens and Lukas archives. According to these legal agreements, third-party access to these materials as well as publication of research findings are only possible in accordance with the agreements. The UvA, CICS and SABK run conservation training programmes. In coordination and consent with the Parties, MA students and staff members from these institutions will explore the archives and do further research. Funding will be sought for PhD students. RCE is a centre of expertise for the preservation and management of cultural heritage. The institute also houses the state art collection. Its Cultural Heritage Laboratory in Amsterdam offers a large infrastructure comprising state-of-the art analytical instrumentation as well as a Historical Materials collection with c. 10.000 items. RCE has a partnership with Royal Talens.
Impact No outputs yet.
Start Year 2022
 
Description Consortium for the Research of Artists' Materials Archives (CAMA) (CSPC) 
Organisation Stuttgart State Academy of Art and Design
Country Germany 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This is a new consortium. Tate Conservation Science will provide access to our Modern Oil Paint archive and support research across the consortium objectives. We have thus far contributed to a networking grant (outcomes due in 2023).
Collaborator Contribution Restaurierungszentrum der Landeshauptstadt Düsseldorf is the coordinator, who will lead and co-oridinate the consortium and foster partnerships with others and paint manufacturers. This Collaboration agreement lays out the basis upon which The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, the Restaurierungszentrum der Landeshauptstadt Düsseldorf, the University of Amsterdam, the Technische Hochschule Köln and the Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Stuttgart establish and manage the Consortium for the Research of Artists' Materials Archives (CAMA). An initial focus of study will be the archives of the artist supplies manufacturers Talens and Lukas. The relation between the Parties: The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, the Restaurierungszentrum der Landeshauptstadt Düsseldorf, the University of Amsterdam, the Technische Hochschule Köln and the Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Stuttgart will form a network for sharing and exchanging information and expertise and for coordinating research conducted by the Parties individually or jointly. Additional network partners may be recruited under the terms of the arrangement covered by this agreement. RCE and RZ each have bilateral legal agreements with Royal Talens and Lukas Nerchau GmbH respectively that define the conditions for accessing, researching and publishing materials from the Talens and Lukas archives. According to these legal agreements, third-party access to these materials as well as publication of research findings are only possible in accordance with the agreements. The UvA, CICS and SABK run conservation training programmes. In coordination and consent with the Parties, MA students and staff members from these institutions will explore the archives and do further research. Funding will be sought for PhD students. RCE is a centre of expertise for the preservation and management of cultural heritage. The institute also houses the state art collection. Its Cultural Heritage Laboratory in Amsterdam offers a large infrastructure comprising state-of-the art analytical instrumentation as well as a Historical Materials collection with c. 10.000 items. RCE has a partnership with Royal Talens.
Impact No outputs yet.
Start Year 2022
 
Description Consortium for the Research of Artists' Materials Archives (CAMA) (CSPC) 
Organisation University of Amsterdam
Country Netherlands 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This is a new consortium. Tate Conservation Science will provide access to our Modern Oil Paint archive and support research across the consortium objectives. We have thus far contributed to a networking grant (outcomes due in 2023).
Collaborator Contribution Restaurierungszentrum der Landeshauptstadt Düsseldorf is the coordinator, who will lead and co-oridinate the consortium and foster partnerships with others and paint manufacturers. This Collaboration agreement lays out the basis upon which The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, the Restaurierungszentrum der Landeshauptstadt Düsseldorf, the University of Amsterdam, the Technische Hochschule Köln and the Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Stuttgart establish and manage the Consortium for the Research of Artists' Materials Archives (CAMA). An initial focus of study will be the archives of the artist supplies manufacturers Talens and Lukas. The relation between the Parties: The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, the Restaurierungszentrum der Landeshauptstadt Düsseldorf, the University of Amsterdam, the Technische Hochschule Köln and the Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Stuttgart will form a network for sharing and exchanging information and expertise and for coordinating research conducted by the Parties individually or jointly. Additional network partners may be recruited under the terms of the arrangement covered by this agreement. RCE and RZ each have bilateral legal agreements with Royal Talens and Lukas Nerchau GmbH respectively that define the conditions for accessing, researching and publishing materials from the Talens and Lukas archives. According to these legal agreements, third-party access to these materials as well as publication of research findings are only possible in accordance with the agreements. The UvA, CICS and SABK run conservation training programmes. In coordination and consent with the Parties, MA students and staff members from these institutions will explore the archives and do further research. Funding will be sought for PhD students. RCE is a centre of expertise for the preservation and management of cultural heritage. The institute also houses the state art collection. Its Cultural Heritage Laboratory in Amsterdam offers a large infrastructure comprising state-of-the art analytical instrumentation as well as a Historical Materials collection with c. 10.000 items. RCE has a partnership with Royal Talens.
Impact No outputs yet.
Start Year 2022
 
Description Digital Skills for Cultural Heritage - AHRC Doctoral Focal Award 
Organisation Imperial College London
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The vision is to bring together digital skills (including AI), science, engineering, analytical methods and cultural heritage to train the next generation of heritage scientists and conservators, recruiting PhD students from both the heritage and science/engineering sectors in the form of a PhD training centre around the topic of 'Digital Skills for Curation and Conservation of Cultural Heritage (DiSCC).
Collaborator Contribution Thus far, attended a co-creation workshop and provided a letter of support. Outcomes have not yet been received.
Impact No outputs as yet.
Start Year 2024
 
Description Greenart project 
Organisation University of Florence
Country Italy 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This has funded a 3 year project at Tate via the UKRI Horizon Europe Guarantee Scheme. This has covered conservation scientist and conservation roles, travel and consumables. We have carried out comparative research onto 20th C paints and innovative cleaning systems
Collaborator Contribution This project has 29 partners.
Impact https://www.greenart-project.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/ama-357-en.pdf https://www.greenart-project.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/polymers-low.pdf
Start Year 2022
 
Description Modern Oils Research Consortium (MORC) (CSPC, PFW) 
Organisation Courtauld Institute of Art (University of London)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Tate hosts and co-ordinates this Consortium and facilitates research between members and collaborators. Supported by Research Dept and Conservation Science (Ormsby and Lee).
Collaborator Contribution Twentieth- and twenty-first-century oil paintings and painted surfaces present a range of complex treatment challenges to conservators that are distinct from those noted from previous centuries. These include the formation of 'surface skins' of medium on painted surfaces, efflorescence, unpredictable water and solvent sensitivity and the recent phenomena where previously stable surfaces begin to drip. Modern oil paints are used by artists in the creation of paintings and sculpture and many of these surfaces are unvarnished and exposed directly to the environment.In response to the need for research in this area, Tate, the Courtauld Institute of Art, the Getty Conservation Institute, the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands and Hamilton Kerr Institute have come together and committed to work collaboratively to address these issues. These five organisations have signed a memorandum of understanding formalising this commitment to work together and to share knowledge about: Chemical and physical properties of modern oil paints and their behaviour over time; Development of treatments; Research relating to the use of these materials by artists; Production and take up of modern oil paints in the twentieth and twenty first centuries. The members of the consortium will meet regularly to exchange information on current research and will also seek opportunities to develop scholarly research, create opportunities for the exchange of staff and the sharing of equipment. They will also look for ways of communicating new developments via conferences, symposia and publications.
Impact See publications.
Start Year 2014
 
Description Modern Oils Research Consortium (MORC) (CSPC, PFW) 
Organisation Cultural Heritage Agency of Netherlands
Country Netherlands 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Tate hosts and co-ordinates this Consortium and facilitates research between members and collaborators. Supported by Research Dept and Conservation Science (Ormsby and Lee).
Collaborator Contribution Twentieth- and twenty-first-century oil paintings and painted surfaces present a range of complex treatment challenges to conservators that are distinct from those noted from previous centuries. These include the formation of 'surface skins' of medium on painted surfaces, efflorescence, unpredictable water and solvent sensitivity and the recent phenomena where previously stable surfaces begin to drip. Modern oil paints are used by artists in the creation of paintings and sculpture and many of these surfaces are unvarnished and exposed directly to the environment.In response to the need for research in this area, Tate, the Courtauld Institute of Art, the Getty Conservation Institute, the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands and Hamilton Kerr Institute have come together and committed to work collaboratively to address these issues. These five organisations have signed a memorandum of understanding formalising this commitment to work together and to share knowledge about: Chemical and physical properties of modern oil paints and their behaviour over time; Development of treatments; Research relating to the use of these materials by artists; Production and take up of modern oil paints in the twentieth and twenty first centuries. The members of the consortium will meet regularly to exchange information on current research and will also seek opportunities to develop scholarly research, create opportunities for the exchange of staff and the sharing of equipment. They will also look for ways of communicating new developments via conferences, symposia and publications.
Impact See publications.
Start Year 2014
 
Description Modern Oils Research Consortium (MORC) (CSPC, PFW) 
Organisation The Getty Conservation Institute
Country United States 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Tate hosts and co-ordinates this Consortium and facilitates research between members and collaborators. Supported by Research Dept and Conservation Science (Ormsby and Lee).
Collaborator Contribution Twentieth- and twenty-first-century oil paintings and painted surfaces present a range of complex treatment challenges to conservators that are distinct from those noted from previous centuries. These include the formation of 'surface skins' of medium on painted surfaces, efflorescence, unpredictable water and solvent sensitivity and the recent phenomena where previously stable surfaces begin to drip. Modern oil paints are used by artists in the creation of paintings and sculpture and many of these surfaces are unvarnished and exposed directly to the environment.In response to the need for research in this area, Tate, the Courtauld Institute of Art, the Getty Conservation Institute, the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands and Hamilton Kerr Institute have come together and committed to work collaboratively to address these issues. These five organisations have signed a memorandum of understanding formalising this commitment to work together and to share knowledge about: Chemical and physical properties of modern oil paints and their behaviour over time; Development of treatments; Research relating to the use of these materials by artists; Production and take up of modern oil paints in the twentieth and twenty first centuries. The members of the consortium will meet regularly to exchange information on current research and will also seek opportunities to develop scholarly research, create opportunities for the exchange of staff and the sharing of equipment. They will also look for ways of communicating new developments via conferences, symposia and publications.
Impact See publications.
Start Year 2014
 
Description Modern Oils Research Consortium (MORC) (CSPC, PFW) 
Organisation University of Cambridge
Department The Fitzwilliam Museum
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Tate hosts and co-ordinates this Consortium and facilitates research between members and collaborators. Supported by Research Dept and Conservation Science (Ormsby and Lee).
Collaborator Contribution Twentieth- and twenty-first-century oil paintings and painted surfaces present a range of complex treatment challenges to conservators that are distinct from those noted from previous centuries. These include the formation of 'surface skins' of medium on painted surfaces, efflorescence, unpredictable water and solvent sensitivity and the recent phenomena where previously stable surfaces begin to drip. Modern oil paints are used by artists in the creation of paintings and sculpture and many of these surfaces are unvarnished and exposed directly to the environment.In response to the need for research in this area, Tate, the Courtauld Institute of Art, the Getty Conservation Institute, the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands and Hamilton Kerr Institute have come together and committed to work collaboratively to address these issues. These five organisations have signed a memorandum of understanding formalising this commitment to work together and to share knowledge about: Chemical and physical properties of modern oil paints and their behaviour over time; Development of treatments; Research relating to the use of these materials by artists; Production and take up of modern oil paints in the twentieth and twenty first centuries. The members of the consortium will meet regularly to exchange information on current research and will also seek opportunities to develop scholarly research, create opportunities for the exchange of staff and the sharing of equipment. They will also look for ways of communicating new developments via conferences, symposia and publications.
Impact See publications.
Start Year 2014
 
Description Partnership with Getty Conservation Institute (ESCAPE) 
Organisation The Getty Conservation Institute
Country United States 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution This is a new partnership which involves training on the use of a PyGCMS data interpretation tool devised by the Getty Conservation Institute for GCMS data. Training has been provided on 3 separate occasions (online and on-site) by Michael Schilling. Tate will contribute data to the worldwide ESCAPE library for all users to incorporate. This request is ongoing and forms part of our RICHeS project developmental work. Tate has hosted the GCI and others and will provide data (with an agreement in place) and only for modern paints (not artworks) at this stage. This is also supported by C2RMF - https://c2rmf.fr/actualite/synthetic-escape-2016
Collaborator Contribution Training, setting up and maintaining the ESCAPE database.
Impact Training so far, data contributions are pending.
Start Year 2025
 
Description Partnership with UCL Bartlett School - Institute of Sustainable Heritage 
Organisation University College London
Department Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This collaboration formed part of our RICHeS contribution - supporting PhD student Xilan Wu to make mock-ups for her acrylic paint research. She visited Tate 3 times over about 4 months and was provided with facilities and knowledge.
Collaborator Contribution Student access; mutual research interests.
Impact None as yet.
Start Year 2025
 
Description Partnership with University of Antwerp 
Organisation University of Antwerp
Country Belgium 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This is a new partnership, still in development, around the use of machine learning for the cataloguing of our Winsor and Newton (oil and alkyd) paint swatch collection, which is part of the Establishing Tate's Conservation and Heritage Science Archive RICHeS project.
Collaborator Contribution Exploring machine learning to extract information from images of the swatches.
Impact No as yet - development stage.
Start Year 2026
 
Description PhD with University of Oslo - Laura Homer (candidate) (CSPC) 
Organisation University of Oslo
Country Norway 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Dr. Ormsby is one of two external PhD supervisors. Providing guidance, methodology, analysis of select artworks, hosting student, member of modern paints group.
Collaborator Contribution Academic supervision and award.
Impact No outputs as yet, recently started.
Start Year 2023
 
Description RICHeS partnership - Courtauld Institute of Art, Conservation 
Organisation Courtauld Institute of Art (University of London)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Agreed to act as access case study trials for Tate's RICHeS bids; histed by Tate as part of both RICHeS bids. Access for students to archive materials and analysis, equipment and expertise.
Collaborator Contribution Liased with Tate, attended meetings, proposed access case studies, present during case studies, feeding back on processes.
Impact https://www.tate.org.uk/about-us/projects/establishing-tates-conservation-and-heritage-science-archive Visits planned, first access case study in progress.
Start Year 2024
 
Description RICHeS partnership - National Trust 
Organisation The National Trust
Country Trinidad and Tobago 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution This new collaboration is for access case studies for RICHES projects at Tate - with a focus on post-1945 paintings in the NT collection. This will involve off-site visits by teams and access to facilities and equipment. Tate team visited Mottistone Manor on the Isle of Wight in July 2025; carried out analysis and sampling as a RICHeS access case study. Report was delivered in October 2025 and discussed in a meeting at Tate in November 2025. Second case study is likely at Willow Road property in London, being visited on March 31st 2026.
Collaborator Contribution Provided suitable case study options, preparation and organisation at NT side; presence during visits, impact and outcomes.
Impact Case study 1 report produced and signed off.
Start Year 2024
 
Description Research with Christa Haiml on Andy Warhol painting owned by MUMOK Austria (CSPC) 
Organisation Museum of Modern Art
Country Austria 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Research guidance, methodology guidance, materials, equipment and facilities at Tate. Since starting, Christa Haiml has visited Tate 3 times for a week at each time to progress the research.
Collaborator Contribution Christa approached Tate CSPC team for help with designing practice-based research to support a complex conservation treatment for an Andy Warhol painting. Christa spends time at Tate and works on the project in Austria (https://www.mumok.at/).
Impact No outputs as yet - project is underway.
Start Year 2021
 
Description Sharing scientific data with the V&A - modern plastics 
Organisation Victoria and Albert Museum
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Tate and the V&A are sharing analytical data for plastics ID.
Collaborator Contribution Similar contributions - Tate providing spectra for borrowed V&A plastics collection.
Impact No outputs as yet apart from shared libraries.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Tate Conservation Science-Courtauld Painting Conservation Studentships (CSPC) 
Organisation Courtauld Institute of Art (University of London)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Successive Courtauld Easel Painting Conservation students hosted by Tate. Research support and access to facilities, academic supervision and marking of various theses. Most recent support from July-Dec 2022 for two Masters students, using CapCo ageing chambers and analysis for assessing ageing of new varnishes for paintings.
Collaborator Contribution Academic supervision, project design, ageing, colour and gloss, analysis, thesis editing. Drs. Ormsby and Lee.
Impact See publications.
Start Year 2006
 
Description Using FLIM to explore coatings in works of art 
Organisation University College London
Department Department of Physics & Astronomy
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This is a new partnership. Tate was approached by Professor Klaus Suhling and team (https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/klaus-suhling) to explore the possibilities of FLIM (Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy) on coatings used for works of art. We have had 2 meetings and provided case study samples. This has thus far resulted in two grant proposals (2024, 2025).
Collaborator Contribution This is a new partnership. Tate was approached by Professor Klaus Suhling and team (https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/klaus-suhling) to explore the possibilities of FLIM (Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy) on coatings used for works of art. We have had 2 meetings and provided case study samples. The samples are now with KCL.
Impact No outputs as yet - one paper on FLIM was included in the Cleaning and Conservation special issue of Heritage Science edited and compiled by Ormsby (PI). https://www.springeropen.com/collections/cleaning-conservation Two funding bids (AHRC, Leverhulme).
Start Year 2023
 
Description AHRC team visit to Tate - 4/4/2024 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Sophie Cummings (AHRC)
Hannah Chalkin (AHRC)
Stephanie Pye - RICHeS IHQ
Carla Burrell - RICHeS IHQ
Visited Tate to discuss the RICHeS awards
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description CAMA consortium meetings - June 2024, March 2025 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Two of the Consortium for the Research of Artists' Materials Archives (CAMA) meetings - this is a networking grant, funded by EU.
2 -day network meetings - June 2024, and 10-11 March 2025.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
URL https://www.th-koeln.de/en/cultural-sciences/cics---research-project---consortium-for-the-research-o...
 
Description Facilities tour for Silvia Amato (Courtauld) re RICHeS, 12/4/24 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact This was a tour for a colleague at the Courtauld, Silvia Amato, April 24, to discuss research and RICHeS,
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Lecture on conservation science for UCL Institute for Sustainable Heritage - 26 February 2025 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact This was a 2 hour lecture on conservation science focussed on the science of innovative cleaning and using case study work of art.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2025
 
Description Meeting with Archie Graf - Harwell, at Tate 9/1/2025 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact This was a meeting with Archie Graf from Harwell facilities to discuss research.
Visit to discuss research - Harwell.
Arthur Graf/Archie, Research Associate | Cydymaith Ymchwil, HarwellXPS, Harwell Heritage Network / Rhwydwaith Treftadaeth Harwell
Email|Ebost : grafa2@cardiff.ac.uk / arthur.graf@harwellxps.uk / arthur.graf@diamond.ac.uk
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2025
 
Description Modern Oils Research Consortium Meeting - 17 April 2024 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact This was a meeting for the Modern Oils Research Consortium on April 17, 2024 - this was online and 2 hours long.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description RICHES Tate website - Accessing Modern-and-contemporary-art-materials-research 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact A new website launched in January 2025
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2025
URL https://www.tate.org.uk/about-us/projects/accessing-modern-and-contemporary-art-materials-research
 
Description RICHES Tate website - establishing-tates-conservation-and-heritage-science-archive 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact https://www.tate.org.uk/about-us/projects/establishing-tates-conservation-and-heritage-science-archive
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2025
URL https://www.tate.org.uk/about-us/projects/establishing-tates-conservation-and-heritage-science-archi...
 
Description RICHeS project partners - meeting #1 at Tate - 19 February 2025 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact This was the first meeting of Tate RICHeS partners (Couruaild, National Trust), to discuss access case studies.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2025
 
Description Ripolin paints - visit from Museum of Domestic Design & Architecture (MoDA) - Zoe Hendon, 15th May 2024 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact This was a visit from Zoe Hendon of the Museum of Domestic Design & Architecture (MoDA) - delivering archive materials based on Ripolin paints.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Social media post - Greenart - X - 2024 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact This was about the Greenart project
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
URL https://x.com/TateResearch/status/1767972525298839770
 
Description Tours of labs for ICON (May 14, 2024) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact This was 2 x tours of the Conservation Science facilities for ICON UK
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description UKRI team visit and filming for GREENART project: January 2024 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact UKRI film crew came to Tate to film the GREENART project - on Jan 31st 2024. Interviewees included Piero Baglioni (CSGI), Christopher Smith (AHRC), Bronwyn Ormsby, Jane McCree and Anna Cooper. Science teams were filmed in the CSPC labs, conservation studios and in the Gallery spaces. The CapCo awards were mentioned as part of the film. The film has yet to be published via YouTube and linked to the UKRI, Tate and GREENART websites.
YouTube: https://youtu.be/sF1FG2O0uJc?si=3zjGEnhXiH_QNgsV
Twitter: https://twitter.com/UKRI_News/status/1767878394237128713
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/uk-research-innovation_sustainable-heritage-conservation-the-power-activity-7173651656394301441-Hoaj?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
URL https://youtu.be/sF1FG2O0uJc?si=3zjGEnhXiH_QNgsV
 
Description Visit by AHRC Chief Executive Christopher Smith - 31 Jan 2024. 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Supporters
Results and Impact Visit to Tate from Christopher Smith - Chief Executive AHRC - included tours of the CapCo labs and being filmed for UKRI film (see separate entry).
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Visit from Arches for Science Getty team for RICHeS 31/1/2025 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Visit from Arches for Science Getty team for RICHeS 31/1/2025
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2025
 
Description Visit from Greek scientist University of Thessaloniki - Dr. Dimitra Aslanidou - 2 May 2024 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Dimitra Aslanidou - heritage scientist from Greece - visited TB on 2/5/25 to view facilities and discuss research.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Visit from Julia Nagle Conservation re innovative cleaning 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact This was a visit from 3 of the team from Julia Nagle Conservation in February 2025 about a work of art which has been damaged with graffiti paint - Tate is doing some analysis and also advising on cleaning strategies.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2025
 
Description Visit from Laura Homer (University of Oslo, PhD candidate) 5.3.2025 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Visit from Laura Homer to discuss ongoing PhD research and analysis.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2025
 
Description Visit from National Gallery team re RICHeS, 25 July 2024 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact This was a visit from the NG science team (3 people) to discuss RICHeS.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Visit from Wren Montgomery - NHM - 9 April 2024 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact This was a visit to discuss scientific equipment and RICHeS access.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Visit from the EU Commission Policy Officer Irena Kowalczyk-Kedziora, 15 July 2024 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact This was a visit to Tate from the EU Commission Policy Officer Irena Kowalczyk-Kedziora and her family, to see the facilities and research.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Visit to Tate - Arches for Science - Getty team, 14 November 2024 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact This was another in person visit for the Arches for Science Getty team to Tate as part of RICHeS.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Visit to Tate - Getty Arches for Science team - 31.1.2025 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact A visit from the Getty Conservation Institute Arches for Science team - 31/1/2025
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2025