The Monitoring and Analysis of the Chinese Traditional Architecture Painting Decay – the Case of Jilan Pavilion in the Summer Palace

Research on the Jilan Pavilion at Beijing's Summer Palace reveals that illumination, particularly mirror reflection from Kunming Lake, is the primary cause of color decay in traditional Chinese architectural paintings. The study, conducted since 2013, compared two paintings—one facing east and one facing west—painted simultaneously but exhibiting differing decay levels. Using ECOTECT software to simulate light environments, scientists found that the west eave (facing east) experienced higher illumination due to lake reflections, leading to accelerated deterioration. This insight underscores the significance of environmental factors in preserving cultural heritage, offering a data-driven approach to conservation strategies for UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Zhan, L., Wang, Z., Zhao, X., Liu, Z., & Liu, G. (2017). THE MONITORING AND ANALYSIS OF THE CHINESE TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE PAINTING DECAY – THE CASE OF JILAN PAVILION IN THE SUMMER PALACE. The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XLII-2/W5, 737–741. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-xlii-2-w5-737-2017