Russian Academy of Sciences: Ancient Novgorod icon threatened by fungus

On the surface of a 16th-century Novgorod icon preserved in the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, scientists from the Russian Academy of Sciences have discovered an unusual fungus that could seriously threaten the condition of the historic work. The news was reported by the Russian website Moskovsky Komsomolets, citing a scientific paper in the Journal of Cultural Heritage.

The "Deesis of the 13 Figures" icon is being damaged by a microorganism of the genus Iodophanus sp., which is usually found in nature on decaying plant matter or manure. Its discovery on the surface of the sacred image is, according to experts, surprising and as yet undocumented.

Analysis has shown that the fungus penetrates multiple layers of the icon - from the base wooden board to the adhesive material to the paints and protective varnishes.

Under laboratory conditions, it has been able to break down traditional materials used in icon painting, such as egg tempera or some pigments. Paints containing heavy metals, which retard the fungus' growth, proved less threatening.

Experts have therefore developed new antiseptic mixtures that effectively suppress the fungus but do not damage the original materials.

This will be followed by testing directly on analogues of the iconic layers. The discovery of the atypical microorganism shows that cultural heritage can be threatened by little-known microbial activity, which restorers must respond to with modern methods.

(hal)