Painting Conservation and Cleaning
The presentation of paintings can be greatly enhanced, and the original vision of the artist better appreciated when cleaned of surface dirt and discoloured varnish. In the example above a French neoclassical painting of 1820 has had an old discoloured varnish removed to reveal the richly coloured landscape beneath. The level of intervention required when cleaning or repairing paintings varies greatly, and factors such as the medium, period and historic condition of the work require careful consideration. With the correct expertise and a sympathetic programme of conservation a painting can often be restored to a state close to its original appearance. Below are some further examples of this process.
Some of the more common conservation methods are surface cleaning, tear and hole repair, lining (reinforcing the support with a secondary canvas), flaking repair and retouching. In this Georgian portrait we see areas where the paint surface has become unstable and begun to flake away from the ground beneath. With a careful consolidation of the paint surface to stabilise it from further decay, the losses are then filled and retouched by the restorer. Works on paper can also be treated for discolouration and staining as in the example of this 18th century watercolour, where blotches have been removed and the yellowing of the paper treated.
There is no single solution to restoring a work of art, each is individual and requires a considered and bespoke treatment. Apelles director James Astley Birtwistle has a decade of experience appraising paintings and works on paper in London and Paris. During this time he has inspected and valued all manner of artworks of all conditions, as well as cleaned many of them himself. With a deep interest and understanding of the physical make up of traditional paintings and their supports such as canvas, panel, copper, etc. James has a close relationship with several leading painting conservators in London. He can therefore confidently advise on condition and the appropriate specialist for your painting. Please do contact us with photographs of your artwork for an initial assessment.
