Azra Becevic Sarenkapa, conservator and museum adviser from the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina and representative of the Balkan Museum Network has visited AURORA partner organisation CSGI in Florence (Italy). The primary focus of the study visit was to explore the properties and potential applications of chemical markers on various substrates that could be found in museum collections. This included testing the markers on materials such as wood, which is particularly relevant due to its widespread use in objects most vulnerable to looting and illegal trading, such as paintings and religious icons. The team experimented with different binders and substrates, and use of the inks in real museum situation, using a museum protocol, and working in way that everything what is applied to the object have to be reversible, and also that before and after applying the ink (visible or invisible) protective, for surface as well as protective for ink, layer should be applied. The team discussed the potential for alternative binders that might yield better results, when applied on different types of objects (material and surface). Given the diverse nature of materials, it became clear that a tailored approach is essential for ensuring the markers’ effectiveness and readability in both real-world and software-based analyses.
The collaboration between CSGI and T-UCC produced remarkable outcomes across multiple testing methods, including the use of different inks, substrates, and application techniques such as brushes, fountain pens, and stamps made from diverse materials. These experiments were further complemented by an ageing process conducted in three distinct ways to assess long-term stability and readability. Special attention was given to the interaction between chemical markers and protective coatings, both before and after ink application, as well as the performance of UV-visible markers such as ZnO and phosphor-based inks. Notably, while green phosphor showed excellent results under UV light (365 nm), its instability without protective layer on certain substrates highlights the need for further research into suitable binders and protective layers. Moving forward, it would be useful to provide information on the materials and type of collections in museum institutions, so it could be determined the most appropriate chemical markers and application techniques for optimal results.
The activities are the part of AURORA (Artwork Unique RecognitiOn and tRacking through chemicAl encoded data, miniaturized devices and blockchain alliance) project that is being funded by the European Union Horizon Europe program.
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