Painting Conservation Treatments
Before After
Tear Repair
The canvas support was damaged structurally with a tear. To repair the damage, "Thread-by-Thread Tear Repair" was the method of treatment. The distortions were removed at the tear site. Individual threads were realigned and bonded together with adhesive. Local application of bridging threads were applied to the reverse of the canvas for additional strength. This technique is far better than the use of patches or other techniques.
Cleaning and Varnish Removal
This painting had a degraded, yellow varnish. The right side of the painting shows the improvement after varnish removal.
Before After
Before After
Filling and Retouching Losses
The panel painting,Adoration of the Magi, suffered from extensive damage and previous restoration attempts. The image on the left shows the painting during treatment after removal of discoloured overpaint. The painting on the right shows after treatment after extensive retouching. Some reconstruction of missing elements was carried out using tratteggio and pointellism. This was done so that the reconstructed areas would be detectable as non-original elements. All restoration was carried out using reversible media.
Before After
Before After
Panel Repair
This panel was an interesting and challenging project. The panel was split in two, the break running from top to bottom with extensive paint losses and many paint fragments. The panel had a convex bow. Treatment involved aligning and glueing the panel and, where possible, reattaching numerous paint fragments. The remaining losses were filled and retouched and a varnish applied locally.
What's involved in
Painting Conservation Treatments
Don has treated traditional and contemporary paintings and a variety of media types including oil, acrylic, egg tempera and encaustic.
The objective is to preserve and stabilize the painting while respecting the original materials and the artist's intent. It is important that materials used in the repair are stable and reversible. In this way the repair can be removed without damage to the original.
Initial Examination
CAC begins with a thorough examination, testing and assessment to determine the condition of your painting and plan the best treatment and materials. This includes detailed photographs that may include macro and ultraviolet fluorescence photography. In addition, spot and chemical testing may be carried out with the owner's permission.
Condition Report and Treatment Proposal
After this initial examination, you are presented with a Condition Report,
Treatment Proposal and Estimate or Quote.
Common Problems
Painting Conservation Treatment of common problems includes:
-
Paint losses and flaking
-
Insecure paint
-
Tears and punctures
-
Canvas distortions
-
Weakened canvas
-
Surface dirt, accretions and discoloured varnish
-
Frame repairs needed or framing not to conservation standards
-
Water and fire damage
-
Insect damage
Painting Conservation Treatment
CAC's treatment of these problems involves using tested and approved conservation materials and methods with the highest level of skill, knowledge and craftsmanship.
Treatment Report and Aftercare Recommendations
After the treatment is complete, you receive a Treatment Report, that is a complete written and photographic documentation of the treatment. Recommendations on aftercare may also be provided, Aftercare Recommendations.