Stradivari's Varnish Revisited: Feature Improvements Using Chemical Modification.

ABSTRACT: The most widespread varnish formulations used by master violin-makers of the "Italian Golden Age", including Antonio Stradivari, were based on mixtures of siccative oils (e.g., linseed oil) and natural resins (e.g., colophony). Similar formulations are still used for the finish of contemporary instruments. Although most precious violins made by Stradivari and other Cremonese Masters are kept in museums, several instruments are still played and their finish may undergo deterioration due to contact with the players. Moreover, the decay of the traditional varnish may occur due to mechanical stress and natural aging caused by environmental agents (e.g., exposure to uncontrolled light, humidity, and temperature changes). The main aim of this research work is to investigate the possible improvem

SUBMITTER: Weththimuni ML 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10490378 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature