THE PERCEPTION OF THE CHROMATIC REINTEGRATION FROM THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE WORK CLOTHING. THE LAB COAT AND ITS COLOUR ALTERNATIVES

Abstract

The present study is focused on the revision of the work clothing of the conservator-restorer, specifically in the lab coat, analysing its colour and the interference it can create regarding the perception of the colours, both of the artwork and of the chromatic palette used to retouch. In this way, the study starts from the review of the corpuscular theory of light. Based on this theory, it is analysed the absorption-reflection process of the interaction of light with matter, as well as it is explained how the colour of the lab coat can hinder or favour the perception and adjustment of the colours in a chromatic reintegration. This investigation is reinforced by a process of experimentation in which the light reflected by both white and black lab coats, is analysed through measurements using a lux meter. The measurements have been made facing pictorial works characterized for a chromatic palette of dark colours or vivid colours, wearing a white lab coat and a black lab coat. Afterwards, the results obtained have been analysed and compared allowing to discover, in a more realistic way, the intensity of the light reflection according to the colour of the work clothing of the conservator-restorer. In addition, the present study is complemented with the realization of an opinion survey to international conservation-restoration professionals. Through this survey, the aim is to find out whether professionals take this factor into consideration during colour reintegration, as well as their general opinion on this issue.