Workshops
Nanopapers in Art Conservation

Nanocellulose films, also called Nanopapers, are biomaterials obtained from various species of wood or plants. Nanopapers are also nanomaterials with unique physical and optical properties. Today, Nanocelluloses and Nanopapers are a new solution for the treatment of graphic, photographic, cinematographic artworks and documents, but also for some 3D-Objects, Textiles, Paintings, old and contemporary, made of translucent or transparent supports.
Since 2014, Senior Paper Conservator Remy Dreyfuss-Deseigne works on Nanopapers and their introduction into Art Conservation. He carried out some research projects on the topic, did some publications and international presentations (ICOM-CC, AIC). Since 2018 he offers related Workshops.
The Applications for Nanocellulose Films in Conservation Workshops
are available for conservation professionals who want to learn about
these new materials and methods
For further information, please go to the Workshops page of the website



Nanocellulose films unique properties
STABILITY

These biomaterials are made of pure cellulose (more than 95% pure, delignified), with a neutral pH. They were tested very stable to light, temperature and humidity agings
STRENGTH

Nanocellulose films are very thin (thickness from 8 to 40 µm) and show high mechnical strength properties, even after aging
TRANSPARENCY

Nanopapers can effectively transmit light and can be as transparent as a polyester sheet such as mylar. Its remarkable properties of transparency don't change after aging
© Remy Dreyfuss-Deseigne - Napanoper®
Applications in Art Conservation
Nanocellulose films can be used for the treatment of various types of
artworks and documents from Archives and Museums collections, such as:
Thin paper artworks - Tracing papers - Parchments - Photographic materials - Thin textile objects - Plastic materials - 3D Objects - Animation cels ...


Before Treatment
After Treatment




© Remy Dreyfuss-Deseigne - Napanoper®
© Remy Dreyfuss-Deseigne - Napanoper®
Workshops Nanocellulose Films in Art Conservation

Participants will:
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Gain an understanding of Nanocellulose films and their use in conservation
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Get an overview of the latest research projects on the topic
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Study and examine various samples of Nanopapers
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Learn how to make Nanocellulose films and nanocomposites in a conservation lab
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Learn how to use these new materials in paper conservation
The two-day intensive workshop will provide established paper conservators with a theoretical and practical foundation for understanding the use of nanocellulose films in conservation. The course consists primarily of hands-on activities, but will also include a lecture, group discussions, examination of various nanocellulose films, the making of some films (MFC and MFC-based nanocomposites), and the application of this new material on a selection of graphic artworks and documents.
2023 Workshops
•QATAR MUSEUMS, Doha, May 2023
•SINGAPORE HERITAGE CONSERVATION CENTER, Two Sessions, Singapore, February 2023
Past Workshops:
•TOKYO NATIONAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR CULTURAL PROPERTIES, Tokyo, Japan (2022)
•HAUTE ÉCOLE ARC, Neuchâtel - UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS, Bern, Switzerland (2022)
•INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIC PROJECTS, 4 Virtual Sessions, London, UK (2021)
•THE BRITISH MUSEUM, Department of Collection Care, London, UK (2019)
•THE ALBERTINA, Vienna, Austria (2019)
•THE INDIANA HISTORICAL SOCIETY - FAIC workshop, Indianapolis, USA (2019)
•THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES, London, UK (2018)
•THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS - FAIC workshop, Boston, USA (2018)
•THE WEISSMAN PRESERVATION CENTER - HARVARD LIBRARY, Cambridge, USA (2018)
If you are interested in organizing / participating a Nano-Workshop
and for more information,
please contact Remy Dreyfuss-Deseigne directly via the website messaging service

About Remy Dreyfuss-Deseigne
- 2009: Graduated from l’Ecole du Louvre (Paris, France)
- 2014: Internship at the Harry Ransom Center (Austin, TX, USA)
- 2015: Graduated from the INP Conservation Program - Master’s degree in Book and Paper conservation with highest honors, with his thesis called: ‘Introduction of Nanocellulose Films in Paper Conservation’.
- 2015-2016: National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship in paper conservation offered by the Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts (CCAHA, Philadelphia, PA).
- 2018: First Workshops about the applications of the Nanopapers in Art Conservation
PUBLICATIONS / PRESENTATIONS
- DREYFUSS-DESEIGNE R. 2018. « Nanocellulose films: Properties, Development, and New Applications for Translucent and Transparent Artworks and Documents ». The Book and Paper Group Annual – American Institute for Conservation (AIC).
- DREYFUSS-DESEIGNE R., DUPONT A-L. 2017. Nanocellulose films: properties, development and new applications for translucent and transparent artworks and documents, Presentation at the AIC’ s 45th Annual Meeting:‘Treatment 2017: Innovation in Conservation and Collection Care’, General Sessions, 28 May-2June 2017, Chicago, USA.
- DREYFUSS-DESEIGNE R. 2017. « Nanocellulose films in art conservation – A New and Promising Material for Translucent Paper Objects ». Journal of Paper Conservation, IADA - International Association of Book and Paper Conservators.
- DREYFUSS-DESEIGNE R. 2016. Research on the Transparency of Mending in Transmitted Light. Introduction of Nanocellulose in Paper Conservation, Presentation at the ICOM-CC conference: ‘Experience and Evidence’, ICOM-CC Interim Meeting Graphic Documents Working Group, 1– 3 June 2016, National Library of France, Paris, France.
- DREYFUSS-DESEIGNE R. 2017. « La nanocellulose en conservation-restauration : première application de ce nouveau matériau prometteur pour la consolidation des oe uvres graphiques à caractère translucide et transparent ». Support Tracé - Revue de l’ARSAG , No.16.
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