Denmark’s museum objects at risk from ‘extreme’ new mould, say conservators

Fungal air sampling is conducted at the Skagen Museum featuring many classic works of art. Photograph: Jacob Jul Nørup

A new type of “extreme” mould is sweeping through Denmark’s museums, threatening some of the nation’s most important paintings and cultural objects, conservators have warned.

Described as an “epidemic for Golden Age paintings”, the highly resistant mould covers objects in a white coating and has been detected in 12 of the country’s museums, including the National Museum of Denmark and Skagens Museum.