Examination and Condition Assessment

Prior to conducting treatment, conservators always perform a thorough examination and assessment of an artworks construction and condition. The support is composed of two large sections of plain-weave canvas (with a horizontal seam running through the center). At some point during a previous restoration campaign the original fabric support was completely lined or adhered to an additional canvas, presumably to aid in the repair of structurally compromised areas (e.g. planar deformations, tears, etc.). Finally, strips of canvas were adhered along all four edges of the canvas to provide additional strength to the tattered tacking margins.

timeline view   simple view
Date: 2013-09-11

Poorly Repaired Tears

Old tears in the canvas had re-opened and subsequently covered with various adhesives and overpaint. Here you can see the planar deformation caused by one tear running through the legs of King Saul.

timeline view   simple view
Date: 2013-09-11

Overpainted Child

Shown here is a detail of the small child in the lower right corner. Unfortunately past cleaning attempts utilized solvents/cleaning methods that caused damage to the original paint layers. As a result, a significant amount of overpaint was hastily applied over remaining areas of original paint throughout the child's face and torso.

timeline view   simple view
Date: 2013-09-11

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.

timeline view   simple view
Date: 2013-09-11