Will Coronavirus Forever Change the Chemical Compositions of Artworks?

Francesca Casadio is executive director of conservation and science at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Coronavirus-related closures currently facing museums may be temporary, but the virus’s impacts on artworks are sure to be permanent. While museums are determining the best ways to disinfect galleries, art conservators are looking for safe methods to keep masterpieces clean of the virus and of sanitizing chemicals alike, leaving many to wonder (and worry) about the possible impact of disinf