EN
The availability on the market of a big numer of ready-made paints, substances and materials with different resistance to light makes it necessary to have them examined thoroughly, especially with a view to the requirements of conservation and restoration of works of art. Because ultra-violet radiation exerts a great effect upon the paramemeters of the colouring of some acrylic paints, there has been developed a method of the so-called quantitative expression of colours; it consists in establishing parameters of the colouring of artistic paints. The method is based on a wellknown law of Grossman. According to it, any colour P can be produced by mixing three basic colours: А, В, С in quantities X, Y, Z. Thus P = XA+YB+ZC. Colours А, В, С are basic to the effect that none of them can be obtained by mixing the remaining two. The method of establishing parameters of the colouring makes it possible to (1) quickly and objectively state changes occurring under the effect o f ultra-violet radiation, (2) carry out comparative studies of paints made by different manufacturers, (3) examine chainges taking place under the effect of substances used for conservation and restoration, and finally (4) record changes in the colouring of individual parts of works. Another essential advantage of the method is the possibility to use measuring equipment that is easy of access and simple to operate. It is also very useful in describing the condition of historic works of art and their protection.