Unfilled Losses

A detail taken from the kneeling woman's back showing overpaint and significant paint loss. During a previous restoration campaign, several losses in the paint layer were left unfilled leaving the bare canvas exposed. Restorers then applied overpaint directly over these losses, staining the canvas beneath.

timeline view   simple view
Date: 2013-09-11

Planar Deformations

Shown here is a detail of an old tear running through the torso of the soldier on the left. The planar deformation caused by these tears suggests that they may be the result of prolonged compression of the paint and ground layers. The painting was likely rolled (as is common with most large format artworks) to facilitate transportation and storage and may have experienced an uneven distribution of weight during this period.

timeline view   simple view
Date: 2013-09-11

Degraded Varnish

Drips of old, degraded varnish were present in certain areas of the painting. The blue marker signifies an area where a small sample was collected for analysis. Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) confirmed the presence of a natural resin varnish (mastic resin).

timeline view   simple view
Date: 2013-09-11

Old Fills

A detail showing an old fill applied during a previous restoration campaign to an area of loss in the paint and ground layers. Many of the existing fills that were found throughout the painting were found to be in good condition.

timeline view   simple view
Date: 2013-09-11

Active Flaking

A few areas of the painting were suffering from active flaking. This detail shows a small paint flake beginning to lift away from the canvas in addition to areas of paint loss and overpaint. It is suspected that the flaking areas likely correspond to past water/moisture-related damage before the painting arrived at Villanova University.

timeline view   simple view
Date: 2013-09-11

Overpainted Edges

A significant amount of overpaint was found along the left and right edges of the painting as these areas exhibited considerable areas of paint loss. This detail, taken from the red cloak of the soldier along the left edge, demonstrates the dramatic difference between the darkened overpaint and varnish with the brilliant original vermillion paint beneath.

timeline view   simple view
Date: 2013-09-11

Overpainted Sky

A significant amount of overpaint was found along the left and right edges of the painting as these areas exhibited considerable areas of paint loss. This detail, taken from the red cloak of the soldier along the left edge, demonstrates the dramatic difference between the darkened overpaint and varnish with the brilliant original vermillion paint beneath.

timeline view   simple view
Date: 2013-09-11

New Losses

A handful of new losses were located along the left and right edges of the painting, particularly where active flaking was noted in the paint/ground layers.

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Date: 2013-09-11

Cleaning and Consolidation

The conservation team performed a number of cleaning and consolidation tests on the painting in order to evaluate the safest and most effective method of treatment

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Date: 2013-09-21

Cleaning Tests

Performed cleaning tests with Professor Richard Wolbers from the University of Delaware to determine most appropriate method to safely remove discolored/darkened surface coatings and overpaint. The bottom image shows a detail of a solvent gel being applied to areas of tenacious, darkened overpaint that had been applied over an old tear during a previous restoration. (Picture here: Richard Wolbers and Emily Wroczynski).

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Date: 2013-09-21

Non-Destructive Analysis (XRF)

Began preliminary non-destructive analysis of pigments using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) with the assistance of faculty and students from Villanova's Chemistry Department. Please refer to X-Ray Fluorescence section for additional detail. (Pictured here: Kristen Watts and Dr. Amanda Norbutus)

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Date: 2013-09-21

Paint Consolidation

Areas of flaking paint required remedial consolidation using a conservation adhesive (BEVA 371) before surface grime and superficial layers of varnish could be safely removed (Pictured here: Emily Wroczynski and Maggie Bearden).

timeline view   simple view
Date: 2013-09-21

Status

Completed examination process. Continued with paint consolidation and removal of overpaint and degraded varnish. Local humidification was performed on areas of planar deformation

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Date: 2013-10-01

Before Treatment

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Date: 2013-10-01

October 2013

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Date: 2013-10-05

October IMAGE

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Date: 2013-10-05

Began Cleaning Process

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Date: 2013-10-07

Raking/Specular Light

Examination using raking or specular light occurs when an artwork is illuminated with a light source positioned at an oblique angle to the object's surface. This can yield information relating to planar deformations, irregularities in the paint and varnish, and other surface conditions.

timeline view   simple view
Date: 2013-10-07

Normal Light

View of painting in normal lighting conditions

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Date: 2013-10-07

Normal Light IMAGE

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Date: 2013-10-07