A Novel Tripartite Approach to Biomolecule Analysis for the Identification of Unknown Artistic Materials Applied to the Use of Chia Oil in Art from New Spain

FAIN: PR-284396-22

Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, NY 10028-0113)
Julie Arslanoglu (Project Director: May 2021 to present)
Jose Luis Lazerte Luna (Co Project Director: February 2022 to present)
Ronda Kasl (Co Project Director: February 2022 to present)

A Tier II project to develop a scientific methodology for biomolecule identification in art, demonstrated on chia oil in Mexican lacquerware and painting dating from the viceroyalty of New Spain.

Plant and animal products, especially from non-European cultures, are among the most understudied materials of cultural heritage. Yet they hold the keys to place decontextualized objects accurately in space, time and civilization, uncover their manufacturing processes, and ensure their proper conservation/preservation. As museums expand their commitment to the accurate description, classification, interpretation, and attribution of their collections, there is a growing need for new scientific tools and research strategies. This project merges science, conservation, and art history, using chia oil as a model material, which holds cultural significance through its artistic use. Our tripartite approach of lipidomics, proteomics, and DNA analysis applied to chia oil demonstrates the importance of a collaborative research platform for the investigation of any unknown biological material, and produces novel scientific protocols that can be adapted to other materials of biological origin.