Faculty FrontDoor

Dr. Amanda Norbutus

Science and art naturally overlap. Both are a means of exploration of the world around us. Scientists play a critical role in identifying artistic materials, how art is made and ages, and more importantly, investigating materials and practices that may extend the lifetimes of artworks.  My conservation science interests are in modern art, public murals, and how art ages. Specifically, I study the chemical, physical, and optical stability of acrylic paints, and optimize polymeric protective coatings for outdoor cultural heritage objects. My research focuses on the formulation of not only an environmentally-friendly shampoo for art (anti-graffiti coating), but a sunscreen (UV protection) as well! For fun, I work with art conservators to analyze works of art to better understand how they were made or what happened to them during their history of existence (as an example, see http://projects.library.villanova.edu/paintingrestoration).