Optimizing Object Display Durations: A Microfading Testing Approach to Preserving Historical Textiles at the Rijksmuseum

This repository contains the data and supplementary information (SI) related to the following article: Willemijn, B., Patin, G., Ness Proaño Gaibor, A. 2026. Optimizing Object Display Durations: A Microfading Testing Approach to Preserving Historical Textiles at the Rijksmuseum, 21st ICOM-CC Triennial Conference in Oslo 14-18 September 2026. Abstract Light is a major agent of deterioration for textiles, causing fibre degradation and colour change. In the absence of object-specific lightfastness data, museums rely on general guidelines, typically limiting the display of textiles to 50 lux for short periods. The present study employs microfading testing (MFT) on a selection of Rijksmuseum dress objects (ca. 1700-1850) with known dyestuffs to determine their lightfastness and corresponding safe display durations. MFT-derived values were compared with published data, revealing general agreement but also unexpected behaviour in weld-dyed objects and certain dye mixtures. For most objects, the MFT-derived values indicate a safe display duration of approximately 20 years under Rijksmuseum gallery conditions. These findings cautiously suggest that some textiles may tolerate longer display periods than current guidelines imply, thereby potentially reducing the need for frequent rotations.