November 24, 2001

CONTENTS:

Response to request for information on treating vandalised paintings.

Date: 8 Nov 2001
From: Feroza Verberne fverberne@rijksmuseum-twenthe.nl
Subject: Vandalism

The Rijksmuseum Twenthe in the Netherlands is presently collaborating with the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in order to review the museums' disaster/emergency planning.
In particular we are attempting to gather as much information as possible concerning first-aid procedures in the case of random attacks on works of art in museums, such as: acid-attacks (e.g. The acid attack on the A. Durer in Munich) or attacks with sharp instruments (e.g. Barnett Newman in the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam).
There is however little to be found in the literature concerning which procedures one should adopt in the case of such attacks. We were hoping that other museums in the world may have sufficiently developed their emergency strategies and that such procedures may have already been set to paper. In order to be clear, what we mean by procedures is what does one actually do when such an attack takes place: shut the room to the public? Who calls the conservation department? Who removes the painting from the wall? Who does what and when? Should the painting be placed face-down or face-up?
Although we realise that this sort of information may be confidential to each museum, we would greatly appreciate it if it would be possible to receive information concerning which procedures have been adopted in your museum.
We shall shortly be organising an internal workshop (Rijksmuseum Twenthe and Van Gogh Museum) concerning the more practical aspects of this sort of attack: which materials should be used for which sort of attack and more importantly we are hoping to determine the content of a 'first-aid kit'. We would of course be prepared to communicate the results of this workshop to whoever may be interested.
If it would be possible to communicate information concerning these procedures, please send to:
Mrs. F. Verberne
Rijksmuseum Twenthe
Conservation Department
Lasondersingel 129-131
7514 BP Enschede
+31 53 435 86 75
Fax: +31 53 435 90 02
fverberne@rijksmuseum-twenthe.nl

Our institution has several small, compact, emergency response kits staged in closets adjacent to our paintings galleries. They include basic instructions to first responders (security officers) for acid attacks.

The kits, approximately the size of a standard briefcase, contain:

1. Distilled water
2. Barium chloride
3. Silver nitrate
4. Sodium bicarbonate
5. Graduated test tubes with stoppers
6. Indicator papers
7. Eye dropper
8. Knife
9. Acid resistant gloves
10. Safety Glasses
11. Respirator
12. Protective surface (tarpaulin or plastic sheeting)

The instructions to security responders are:

1) Close off the gallery.
2) Do not touch the painting or remove it from the wall.
3) Notify the Supervisor, Conservator, and Director immediately. Transmit the following information:
a. Identify the painting: Artist, Title, Accession #
b. Location of painting
c. Type and extent of damage
1) Under no circumstances should the painting be touched.
2) If fluid gets on skin or eyes, wash immediately and thoroughly with water. If fumes are present, stay away.

1) If an attack was with a liquid which has run down the face of the painting and has collected at the bottom of the frame rabbet, keep painting vertical and remove the frame.
2) If attack was with paint stripper or other viscous fluid, lay the painting flat. If some of the fluid has slipped under the rabbet, carefully remove the frame. Accelerate drying with cool fan.
3) Chemical tests: First determine if the liquid is an acid, a base, or a neutral substance. For this purpose, use ph indicator strips. Wet with distilled water and put in contact with liquid used in attack. A comparison with the color scale on the package indicates the ph value. Ph value 7 indicates neutral, less than 7 indicates an acid, and more than 7 indicates an alkali. The more the ph value deviates from the neutral 7, the stronger the acid or alkali.

a) Acids: if it is an acid, it is important to determine if it is sulfuric acid by placing a knifepoint of barium chloride in a graduated test tube with about 2 ml. of distilled water. Then add 2-3 drops of the acid used in the attack. If a white precipitate appears, it would most likely be sulfuric acid. If this test is negative, test for hydrochloric acid using silver nitrate. The procedure is the same as described above, with the difference being the substitution of silver nitrate crystals for barium chloride. Again, if a white precipitate occurs, it is hydrochloric acid.
b) Bases: No chemical test should be necessary. Smell: if ammonia-like smell is present, it is a base.

5) Intervention:
a) Sulfuric acid: if the painting can withstand procedure, wash with butanol. Otherwise do nothing. Never use water or turpentine.
b) Other acids: Water can be used to wash the painting if the painting can withstand it. Otherwise, it is better to avoid immediate intervention. If acid spills on the floor or clothes, you can neutralize them with sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) in powder or in solution in water. Do not use this on paintings, as it produces a strong gaseous reaction.
c) Bases: Alkalis can also be washed off with water. Test painting first.
d) Organic solvents: No immediate intervention. Let the solvent evaporate.