Study of the stability of the red preparatory layers in Miguel CIon migration and crack formationabrera’s Series on The Life of the Virgin: Ion migration and crack formation

The most remarkable aspect of the eleven paintings in Miguel Cabrera’s series on The Life of the Virgin in the collection of the Museo de América is their state of preservation, despite some mechanical damage. One painting, The Adoration of the Shepherds, is an exception since it was badly damaged by exposure to large amounts of bat excrement (Bruquetas, 2022). However, the rest of the paintings are in remarkably good condition, as the paint film is quite compact with very little cupping and flaking and no significant structural damage in the fabric support. One feature, however, is evident on closer inspection, namely the presence of very small cracks throughout the entire surface of all the paintings.