PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF
THE PAINTING
THE PAINTING
CLEANING TEST
A. Surface of the painting
before cleaning
B. After removal of dust,
smoke and grime
C. After removal of dark varnish
before cleaning
B. After removal of dust,
smoke and grime
C. After removal of dark varnish
Photograph in UV
light
light
Paintings are sensitive to changes of air, excessive light, heat, air polution and
vibration. If restoration becomes necessary the extent of the damage must be
diagnosed. Scientific examination can reveal not only the present state of painting
but stages in which it was created and any changes made by earlier conservation.
vibration. If restoration becomes necessary the extent of the damage must be
diagnosed. Scientific examination can reveal not only the present state of painting
but stages in which it was created and any changes made by earlier conservation.
RAKING LIGHT
In this process a painting is
lit by a beam of light parallel
to or forming very small
angle (between 5-30
degrees) with its surface.
Raking light can show the
condition of the layer of
pigment and indicates any
damage to the varnish as
well as provide evidence of
the artist's style.
lit by a beam of light parallel
to or forming very small
angle (between 5-30
degrees) with its surface.
Raking light can show the
condition of the layer of
pigment and indicates any
damage to the varnish as
well as provide evidence of
the artist's style.
ULTRA-VIOLET RAYS
Ultra-violet light can measure the extent of earlier restoration -
will show any attempt or partial removal of varnish and the
retouches.
will show any attempt or partial removal of varnish and the
retouches.
PHOTOMACROGRAPHY
The technique to obtaining
slightly enlarged pictures
without the use of a
microscope.
Photomacrographs can reveal
the condition of actual layer of
pigments. Old paintings are
usually covered with a
network of cracks caused by
the pull of the support or the
nature of the binding agent.
Details of craquelure, old
retouches and damages can
be seen clearly on
photomacrographs.
slightly enlarged pictures
without the use of a
microscope.
Photomacrographs can reveal
the condition of actual layer of
pigments. Old paintings are
usually covered with a
network of cracks caused by
the pull of the support or the
nature of the binding agent.
Details of craquelure, old
retouches and damages can
be seen clearly on
photomacrographs.
Overpainted signature visible
in raking light
in raking light
Signature after partial
cleaning
cleaning
Cracks and old retouches
visible on
photomacrograph of 17th c
painting atrributed to
A. Van Dyck
visible on
photomacrograph of 17th c
painting atrributed to
A. Van Dyck
Detail from italian
portrait dated 1630
portrait dated 1630
Examination under binocular
microscope
microscope
PAINTINGS RESTORATION # 1 IN ST. LOUIS
314 - 427 - 3006
www.szelagart.com