Assessing the (In)Stability of Urban Art Paints: From Real Case Studies to Laboratory Investigations of Degradation Processes and Preservation Possibilities

Urban art as a shared expression of street between artists, citizenship and municipalities has always had an important role in the social life appearance modern cities. However, durability urban artworks is susceptible to degradation processes that employed commercial paint formulations undergo once outdoors. These are complex mixtures compounds, differently sensitive environmental agents according their chemical nature. Starting from colorimetric analysis murals created 2010, 2011 2018 Reggio Emilia, Italy, documenting already after few months, this study aimed at understanding stability most unstable paints used by artists these artworks. A multi-analytical approach evaluated products under point view, natural accelerated ageing. Additionally, two manufactured anti-UV varnishes were for possible use coatings. The results pinpointed weaknesses selected highlighted how application coating might slightly affect visual aspect artwork, though ensuring greater resistance outdoor conditions due minor sensitivity agents.