Documenting Original Painted Surfaces

For painted outdoor sculpture, paint is not only an important visual component of the work but also provides protection for the metal substrate, helping to offset corrosion. However, with constant exposure to the elements and few or no barriers to handling by visitors, paint layers can deteriorate. Outdoor sculptures exhibiting patina or deteriorated paint are not well received by viewers, and missing or deteriorated paint layers can lead to corrosion. Therefore, it is fairly common for outdoor painted sculpture to be entirely repainted, and frequently stripped of previous paint layers to ensure the adhesion of the new coats.

Unfortunately, stripping and repainting can occur without documentation of the original paint systems used by the artist. While photographs may exist of a work when it was being created or at various points in its history, it has not been typical practice to document or keep samples of the paint materials used on artwork. Color photographs, where they exist, can fade or discolor over time and are not especially helpful for determining characteristics such as gloss or texture. As a result, sculptures are occasionally repainted a different color (intentionally or not), a different hue, or a different gloss level than the original.

In order to avoid this, it is of utmost importance to properly document original paint surfaces so that their appearance can be accurately replicated. The Getty Conservation Institute Paint Coupon Repository was created in 2012 toward this end. The paint coupons provide a reliable physical reference for conservators, pending consultation and agreement with the artists’ studios, foundations, or estates.

To aid in the production of these coupons, the Conservation Institute published Documenting Painted Surfaces for Outdoor Painted Sculptures. These guidelines are based on ASTM standards, paint industry practices, and consultations with experts in the fields of industrial paints and outdoor painted sculpture conservation, for the production and documentation of paint coupons.