Feature|Videos|December 19, 2025
Pyrolysis in Art Conservation: Michael Schilling on Py-GC/MS for Organic Material Analysis
Key Takeaways
- Learn how Py-GC/MS supports the study and preservation of organic materials in cultural heritage objects.
- Understand how pyrolysis techniques distinguish between natural and synthetic components across historical and modern artifacts.
Michael Schilling, Senior Scientist at the Getty Conservation Institute, explains how GC/MS and advanced pyrolysis techniques are used to analyze and preserve organic materials in works of art, from historic lacquers to modern plastics.
Sponsored by Frontier Laboratories, Ltd.
Michael Schilling, Senior Scientist at the Getty Conservation Institute, discusses how Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) is used to study and preserve organic materials in cultural heritage objects. He highlights his experience analyzing a wide range of materials, from European and Asian lacquers to plastic sculptures, demonstrating how these techniques help identify both natural and synthetic components. Schilling explains the rationale for using a microfurnace pyrolysis system from Frontier Laboratories and emphasizes the value of tools like the ESCAPE system for interpreting complex data. Throughout his discussion, he shares insights from various international projects, practical recommendations for organic analysis, and the role of advanced pyrolysis techniques in supporting art conservation and scientific research.
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