Study on Deterioration of Lead Used in the Artwork Bread by Jasper Johns Held in the National Museum of Art, Osaka Collection
NCAR supports scientific investigation projects since 2023, subjecting artworks in the collections of the National Museums. In 2024–2025, a two‑year scientific study was carried out on Bread (1969) by Jasper Johns, held by the National Museum of Art, Osaka.
Bread is an artwork composed of a thin lead sheet covering a wooden panel, onto which metal objects are attached. Around 2010, deformation and swelling of the lead sheet were observed, making the artwork difficult to exhibit. In order to identify the causes and
mechanisms of corrosion and to seek conservation measure, a joint scientific study was conducted by the National Center for Art Research, the National Museum of Art, Osaka, and the Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties.
The Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties carried out digital microscopic observation of the artwork followed by Micro X-ray diffraction (identification of constituting compounds) analysis and Microfocus X-ray CT (observation of internal structure) of the tiny samples. The results showed that corrosion had progressed from the side of the lead sheet in contact with the wooden panel, causing convex deformation toward the surface of the artwork. Numerous cracks were also observed within the corrosion layer, indicating that the lead sheet had become fragile.
Further information is available in the NCAR Report and Journal, Vol. 2, 2024 (pp71-78).
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