Category: Conservation
Kenwood Cornelius Johnson Conserved
November 27 2023
Picture: The Guardian
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Guardian published the news at the end of last week that Kenwood House's Portrait of Diana Cecil by Cornelius Johnson has been conserved. Indeed, the removal of later overpaint in the face has shown that the sitter had 'received the so-called “Kylie Jenner treatment” – with touch-ups involving plumping the sitter’s lips and lowering her hairline.' The before and after photos (see above) show that the surface is entirely abraded (particularly in the fragile pigments of the hair), a reason why the work may have been so heavily retouched in the past. The article also explains that cleaning has revealed the portrait's date of 1634 and the artist's signature.
Click on the link above to read more.
London Art Week Symposium on Conservation
November 24 2023
Picture: londonartweek.co.uk
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
London Art Week are holding a symposium on the subject of THE ART OF CONSERVATION: PRESERVATION, RESTORATION & FRAMING in December. The event is hosted by the National Portrait Gallery and contains a full day's worth of talks.
The program includes the following subjects:
HOW STUDY INFORMS PAINTING CONSERVATION PRACTICE
BENEATH THE SURFACE: UNTOLD STORIES FROM THE HISTORY OF CONSERVATION
REFRAMING THE IMAGE: HISTORIC PICTURE FRAMES & THEIR CHANGING FASHIONS
The symposium will be held on 5th December 2023 and will cost a mere £20 to attend.
Restoring Notre-Dame's Damaged Paintings
November 22 2023
Picture: rtve.es
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Spanish speakers might be interested in this video published by RTVE which details some of the recent work that has gone into the restoration of paintings that needed conservation after the 2019 fire at Notre-Dame. The group of works requiring conservation numbers 22 in all, it appears.
Rosso Fiorentino's Deposition Conserved
November 17 2023
Picture: ansa.it
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
News from the Pinacoteca civica di Volterra in Italy that their Deposition from the Cross by Rosso Fiorentino has been conserved. The conservation project, which began in September 2021, was completed by Daniele Rossi and Roberto Buda in an effort to stabilise the fragile panel and paint surface which was in a rather precarious state. Painted by the artist in 1521, the work was funded by Friends of Florence Foundation and further donations from John and Kathe Dyson and the Alexander Bodini Foundation.
Venice's Sala Quattro Porte to be Conserved
November 13 2023
Picture: savevenice.org
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
News from Venice that the Palazzo Ducale's famous Sala Quattro Porte will undergoing a year-long restoration project which begins this month. This incredible space, which was designed by Palladio, contains famous works by Jacopo Tintoretto, Titian and Giambattista Tiepolo. The news report above explains that €710,000 has been set aside for the task, which seems suspiciously low to me for some reason.
Stowe's State Dining Room Restored
November 6 2023
Picture: Purcell Architects
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Some news I missed from the summer is that the magnificent State Dining Room at Stowe has recently been restored to its former glory (with added H&S paraphernalia too I see...). It seems that technology has been at the heart of the project, with original tapestries printed on 'wipeable' wallpaper, and original chimney pieces and door mantles being 3D scanned and printed for the room.* Over £26m has been spent since the year 2000 in restoring the principle state rooms of this important house. Click on the link above to read more.
* - Is it time to reprint Stowe's magnificent lost art collection? Or perhaps the organisation of a blockbuster exhibition perhaps? All comments / ideas / dreams welcome.
Demon Uncovered in Petworth Reynolds
November 1 2023
Picture: BBC
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The National Trust shared a suitable Halloween story yesterday regarding a demon uncovered during a recent conservation project. The conservation of Joshua Reynolds' The Death of Cardinal Beaufort lead to the reappearance of a demon hiding in the shadows and beneath layers of dirty varnish.
To quote the article linked above:
John Chu, the National Trust's senior national curator for pictures and sculpture, explained: "It didn't fit in with some of the artistic rules of the times, to have a poetic figure of speech represented so literally in this monstrous figure.
"When it was first shown at the Shakespeare Gallery in 1789 it generated more controversy than any other work on show.
Critics argued that "while it was considered acceptable in literature to introduce the idea of a demon as something in the mind of a person, to include it visually in a painting gave it too physical a form", said Mr Chu.
Several friends and commentators tried to persuade Sir Joshua not to include it - or, on the painting's completion, to paint it out.
Uffizi Restores and Redisplays Lorenzetti Polyptych
October 31 2023
Picture: ansa.it
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
News from Italy that the Uffizi in Florence have restored Pietro Lorenzetti's (Siena 1280-1348) Santa Umiltà polyptych. The polyptych, which is composed of 22 elements, has taken over four years to conserve. In line with the gallery's Diffusi project, the large work has been sent off for an exhibition at the Pinacoteca Comunale di Faenza where it will be on display until March next year.
Readers will also notice that the museum has taken the opportunity to give the multipaneled work the contemporary 'Italian' framing treatment. Click here to see the Uffizi's washing machine setting for Michelangelo's Doni Tondo.
New Release: Van Dyck in Italy - Technical Studies
October 24 2023
Picture: Il Geko Edizioni
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Italian website Finestre sull'Arte have published an extended article on a new book dedicated to technical analysis of Van Dyck's Italian period. The publication by Michela Fasce examines sixteen works by the artist, and investigates exactly how and with what materials Van Dyck was producing paintings during this time of his career.
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As an aside, it is a recurring feature that many of his Italian period paintings don't tend to age very well. Apart from the usual damages from overcleaning, many of his canvases have suffered greatly from losses and degradations of colour and vibrancy. I wonder if this might be explored in the book too...
Noël Coypel at Versailles
October 19 2023
Video: Châteaux de Versailles
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
A new exhibition dedicated to Noël Coypel, father and ancestor of more celebrated artists of the same name, opened at the Châteaux de Versailles this week. The show contains 90 works, including paintings, drawings, tapestry cartoons, which illuminate his work at Versailles and beyond. The curators and conservators at the Châteaux also took this opportunity to conserve some of his more neglected works, the results of which can be seen in the video above!
The exhibition will run until 28th January 2024.
Tate Discover their Devis was Chopped in Half!
October 18 2023
Picture: Tate
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Tate have posted a very fun short video on their Instagram account regarding a fascinating conservation and research project on a painting by Arthur Devis. Conservator Rachel Scott's investigation and treatment of a portrait by Devis in the collection revealed that one of the margins had been added with an old piece of canvas cut from the bottom of the painting, which suggested to her that the work had been cut-down from a much larger composition. With the help of curator Alice Insley, a trip to the Courtauld photograph library managed to find the other missing half (left), which corresponds directly to the Tate's fragment. It appears that the double portrait might have been cut in half at some point during the past, perhaps in an effort to create two paintings to sell instead of one (a common practise centuries ago!).
Perhaps a reader of AHN might know where the other of the painting might be. If so, do get in touch!
Deputy Mayor Protests at Botched Restoration
October 18 2023
Picture: ansa.it
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
News from Italy that the Deputy Mayor of The Municipality of Cortona (Arezzo) Francesco Attesti has written an open letter condemning the 'creative' and 'arbitrary' restoration of a painting attributed to Bartolomeo della Gatta (1448-1502) (before restoration - on the left). The work is currently on loan to the Fred Jones Museum in Oklahoma for an exhibition entitled the Treasures of Tuscany: Renaissance in Arezzo, and appears to have been 'restored' in Italy in anticipation of its loan to the American museum. The article above explains that the Mayor has called for a investigation as to whether the conservation work may constitute financial damage.
Mona Lisa Ground Layer given the Scientific Treatment
October 12 2023
Picture: pubs.acs.org
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
There have been a few articles floating around this week regarding an article published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. The research paper focuses on some new analysis of the materials used in Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, suggesting that 'a rare compound, plumbonacrite' was found in its ground layer. Its authors suggest that the artist had been experimenting whilst preparing this iconic portrait (I suppose the easier question should be, what did Leonardo not do during his lifetime).
Here's the abstract, in case any one would like to delve further:
An exceptional microsample from the ground layer of Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa was analyzed by high-angular resolution synchrotron X-ray diffraction and micro Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, revealing a singular mixture of strongly saponified oil with high lead content and a cerussite (PbCO3)-depleted lead white pigment. The most remarkable signature in the sample is the presence of plumbonacrite (Pb5(CO3)3O(OH)2), a rare compound that is stable only in an alkaline environment. Leonardo probably endeavored to prepare a thick paint suitable for covering the wooden panel of the Mona Lisa by treating the oil with a high load of lead II oxide, PbO. The review of Leonardo’s manuscripts (original and latter translation) to track the mention of PbO gives ambiguous information. Conversely, the analysis of fragments from the Last Supper confirms that not only PbO was part of Leonardo’s palette, through the detection of both litharge (α-PbO) and massicot (β-PbO) but also plumbonacrite and shannonite (Pb2OCO3), the latter phase being detected for the first time in a historical painting.
Reynolds at the Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio
October 9 2023
Picture: @southeastNT
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio, a National Trust property which allows visitors to see the conservation of historic works of art in action, has been busy restoring several paintings by Sir Joshua Reynolds this year. To celebrate the 300th birthday of the artist, a special project of conservation was begun in 2023 to transform several paintings of his in the NT's collection. This included his portrait of the Hon. Theresa Parker from Saltram House (pictured below), which is included in the The Box in Plymouth's Reframing Reynolds: A Celebration exhibition (which will run until 29th October).
In October the conservation studio will be placing a spotlight on the conservation of Reynolds' portrait of the 3rd Duke of Dorset (pictured above), which will be on display until 19th October.
The MET are seeking a 'Conservator in Charge'
October 6 2023
Picture: The New York Times
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York are hiring a 'Conservator in Charge' for Painting Conservation.
According to the job description:
The Conservator in Charge of the Department of Paintings Conservation, one of the museum’s five conservation departments (Objects, Paper, Photographs, Textile) has the academic and administrative responsibility for the conservation and preservation of paintings throughout the Museum in accordance with the highest standards of the profession and leads a team (currently) of twelve staff members. You should have deep experience in the treatment and technical examination of paintings, and a distinguished record and reputation in the field. You will work closely with all curatorial departments that house paintings (the American Wing, European Paintings and Modern and Contemporary are the principal departments, but numerous others house collections), to identify the conservation needs of their collections, to establish priorities for treatment, preservation, and the technical study of objects. In addition, you will organize and oversee the examination of paintings that enter the museum through acquisition, gift, and loan, including loan exhibitions. You will be involved in decisions relating to the Museum environment, installations, capital projects, exhibitions and storage that involve paintings. Importantly, they will supervise efforts regarding the movement, storage, and treatment of paintings as part of the capital plan to build the Tang Wing for Modern and Contemporary art over the next years.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this job is that it comes with an annual salary of $220,000 - $270,000 per annum (!)*
Applications must be in by 1st December 2023.
Good luck if you're applying!
* - UK institutions, take note!
Lorenzetti's Crucifixion Returns from Restoration
October 6 2023
Picture: pinacotecanazionalesiena.it
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
News from Italy that the Pinacoteca Nazionale di Siena has just redisplayed a restored Crucifixion by Ambrogio Lorenzetti (1290-1348). Dated to around 1328-1330, the delicate conservation work was undertaken by Stefano Casciu and funded with a generous donation from the Friends of Florence. The gallery will be displayed the restored work in a small exhibition which runs from today until 8th January 2024.
Delacroix's 'The Death of Sardanapalus' Restored
October 4 2023
Picture: Louvre, Paris
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The European press, and many devotees to art and beauty on social media, have been sharing the news and details of the Louvre's freshly restored The Death of Sardanapalus by Delacroix. It seems that the transformation of this has been particularly striking (click here to compare the image above to its previous state), with many beautifully preserved painterly details found throughout.
Of particular excitement is news that the artist's iconic Liberty Leading the People will be the next large scale work to undergo conservation, a process which is excepted to be completed in Spring 2024.
Frans Hals at the National Gallery
October 4 2023
Video: The National Gallery, London
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The National Gallery's latest Frans Hals exhibition opened last week. The Guardian's less than favourable review has subsequently been counteracted by others in The Observer and The New York Times respectively. I haven't been to see it yet, however, I have been handed a copy of the exhibition catalogue which looks very promising indeed. Not only is it organised in comprehensive and beautiful way, the publication suggests that the curators have taken a bold approach to attribution (a problem which follows Hals scholarship to the present day). One such example is the inclusion of a portrait which was sold as 'School of Haarlem, circa 1615' at Sotheby's New York in 2021, doubted by both Seymour Slive and Claus Grimm (see Literature in the link), which has now been given to Frans Hals in full.
However, one of the most fascinating pieces of original research is the discovery of 'a hidden monster and skull' in the famous Chatsworth portrait, which appears to have been covered by 'later overpaint'. The gallery have produced the following video which explains the whole story.
Lecture: Painting Conservation at Knole
September 29 2023
Picture: The National Trust
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Some readers might be able to make this fascinating lecture next week. Conservator Melanie Caldwell will be giving a talk next Tuesday 3rd October entitled Framing Knole, which focuses on recent campaigns to conserve and restore paintings at this important property.
According to the Trust's website:
Paintings Conservator Melanie Caldwell will talk about projects undertaken on paintings at Knole, including the Grotesque scheme in the Cartoon Gallery, the early Portrait of Sir Ralph Bosville from around 1600 and Sir Joshua Reynold’s Portrait of Huang Ya Dong.
Tickets cost a mere £7.
The Royal Collection rediscovers a lost Artemisia
September 28 2023
Video: The Royal Collection Trust
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Royal Collection have been sweeping the internet recently with the exciting news that they have rediscovered an important work by Artemisia Gentileschi. The work, which was misattributed several centuries ago, was created during the 1630s when Artemisia was working alongside her father Orazio in London for King Charles I.
This recently conserved painting will be on view at Windsor Castle in a special display focusing on its rediscovery alongside other works by the artist and her father in the Royal Collection.
