Art & Biochemistry - Bioquímica e Sociedade: a bioquímica dedicada à arte e ao património

Abstract

Established in 2009, the HERCULES Lab is a research infrastructure from the University of Évora, devoted to the study and valorisation of cultural heritage, focusing on the integration of physical and material sciences methodologies and tools in interdisciplinary approaches. Nowadays, the laboratory researchers are engaged in the material and historical study of different cultural heritage artifacts, namely, archaeological artifacts (ceramics, glass, metals, organic materials), art objects (easel paintings and polychrome sculpture, metals, historical textiles, ancient manuscripts), and built heritage (mortars, stone, mural paintings and glazed tiles). Biochemical approaches are being used to study of the biodegradation processes of the materials used to produce artistic artifacts led to the development of novel biotechnology-based products used for identification of bio-contaminants and for materials conservation, that you can find in this exposition.