A Century of Mural Painting in Focus (1850–1950): Techniques, Materials, and Conservation Perspectives

Dear Colleagues,

Between 1850 and 1950, mural painting underwent profound transformations, marked by experimentation with materials and evolving artistic practices. Beyond stylistic diversity, this period represents a crucial chapter in the technical history of art, when traditional fresco and tempera methods coexisted with the emergence of synthetic binders, industrial pigments, and hybrid supports. These innovations reflected a changing relationship between artists, materials, and architecture, leading to new understandings of the wall as both a structural and expressive surface.

This Special Issue seeks to deepen our understanding of the technical and material history of mural painting during this pivotal century, highlighting the intersection between artistic creation, material innovation, and conservation. By bringing together research from art historians, conservators, and heritage scientists, we aim to promote a multidisciplinary discussion on how murals were conceived and executed, and how they have aged over time. Particular attention will be given to the identification of materials and techniques, the documentation of alteration phenomena, and the methodological and ethical challenges involved in their preservation.

The study of mural painting from 1850 to 1950 is essential for understanding the evolution of pictorial practice and the material culture of art in modern times. Moreover, it provides valuable insights for contemporary conservation approaches and contributes to broader reflections on authenticity, intervention, and the sustainable preservation of cultural heritage.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and review papers are welcome. Suggested topics may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Technical and material studies of mural paintings from 1850–1950;
• Innovation in pigments, binders, and supports;
• Analytical and diagnostic approaches to wall paintings;
• Case studies in conservation and restoration;
• Documentation, digital recording, and heritage management of murals;
• Historical and archival research on artistic practices.

We look forward to receiving your contributions and to fostering a dialogue that connects technical art history, conservation practice and science, and heritage studies.

Dr. Milene Gil
Prof. Dr. Mercedes Sánchez-Pons
Guest Editors

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