Elucidating the composition and the state of conservation of nitrocellulose-based animation cells by means of non-invasive and micro-destructive techniques

This paper presents the first study on Rodovetri, animation cels produced between the 1950s and the 1970s for the Italian television and conserved at the Museum of Industry and Labour “Musil” (Italy). Although these cels are considered as works of art and witnesses of Italian animation design, they have never been studied before. The study of one of the most endangered cel groups of the Musil collection is presented here. The main aims were to investigate the composition of these animation cels, to identify the materials used for painting the characters, and to assess the state of conservation of the cels. The results, which were obtained by means of a multi-analytical non-invasive and micro-destructive approach, underline the composition of the plastic substrate as nitrocellulose, while the painted layers – which contain a variety of pigments and dyes – were found to be bound with a mixture of plant gum and animal glue. This study also provides information on their state of conservation, in particular in relation to the de-nitration of plastic sheets. Important issues on the preventive conservation are also raised.