Mold Removal Technology in Restoration of Ancient Calligraphy and Painting

       Ancient calligraphy and paintings are exquisite works of art, important cultural heritage, and a particularly important part of paper cultural relics and paper archives. The restoration of ancient calligraphy and paintings is the most difficult of all paper cultural relics and paper archives. To achieve a good restoration effect, it requires the comprehensive effect of multiple restoration technologies, involving knowledge from multiple disciplines.

       The main reason for paper deterioration is the acid-catalyzed degradation of cellulose molecules, and mold degradation is also a very important factor. The mold and the surrounding rice paper are seriously deteriorated and damaged. It can be seen that the damage to the ancient painting rice paper is obvious. What's more serious is that it will also damage the picture and damage the painting's meaning.

       If the mold spots on ancient calligraphy and paintings are all white spots, this is "dry mold", also known as "white mold". You can first use a feather duster to remove the white flowers on the surface, rinse with hot water, and then use a high-quality sponge to dry it, and continue to wash again. Do this many times and the white mold can be removed.

       If the mold spots on the screen have turned into green mold, yellow mold, or even red mold, use a knife to gently scrape off the part above the paper surface. Then use chemical drugs (potassium permanganate solution and oxalic acid solution). The specific operation method is to use a clean brush to dip potassium permanganate solution (concentration is 2% - 5%) and apply it to the moldy area. The liquid will slowly change from purple-red to brown. Wait for a few minutes to let the potassium permanganate solution penetrate into the moldy area to be cleaned. Then use another clean brush to dip 2% oxalic acid solution and apply it to the traces of potassium permanganate solution to neutralize it, so that the brown liquid gradually turns white. If the requirements are not met in one time, it can be repeated once. After the brown solution fades, rinse it with clean water.

       If there are multiple colors or marks on the mildew spots on the painting, the above-mentioned drugs cannot be used to clean the mildew spots, so as to avoid fading or even disappearing the colors and marks on the painting due to the oxidation of chemicals, thus destroying the original meaning of the painting. When washing the painting with water, protective measures should be taken for ancient calligraphy and paintings whose ink and color are easy to fade. Before washing or using chemicals, a light layer of calligraphy and painting protective agent should be applied on the ink and color powder with a brush to strengthen the color and prevent it from falling off. After drying, it can be lined with silk or satin, and then washed.