Notes
Scope of work: THe painting was photocumented using 35mm, Kodachrome, color slide firm before, during and after treatment.
Layers of surface varnish, along with ambient dirt and grime were removed with applications of acetone appled by swab. The most recent layer had the solubility, consistency and discoloration typical of an aged natural resin varnish. The removal of the varnish revealed add. remnants of precvious varnished, residual dirt and a great deal of repaint. Surface layers of residual varnish and repaint were effectively removed with the continurd use of acetone. SOme, possibly older layers of repaint were loosened and removed with dil;ute (5N) NH4OH. Previous fills were removed withappl;ications of NH4OH and mechanical means. The canvas had buckled badly and the previous lining was failing. To reverse this effect, areas of loose, flaking or vulnerable paint were locally consolidated with infusions of acryloid B-72 and the paint surface was faced with mino tissue and wheat flour paste.The facing was applied to ensure that no paint was lost or dislodged during the removal of the lining canvas. The lining canvas was removed mechanically, with heat. Residual adhesive was removed mechanically. the entire canvas was relaxed using moisture and mild heat and pressure. The reverse of the canvas was infused using a synthetic, microcrystallline wax resin (25% piccolyte 115, 25% piccolyte S-85, 50% microcrystalline was). The canvas was linted to a secondary, linin canvas using mild heat and pressure, face up with a buffer on the vacuum not table (approx. 10-15 min at full temp of 120-135 degrees). The canvas was stretched to a new turn-buckle stretcher. the present dimensions are based on the original, or most original present, crease of the tacking edge. After residual lining adhesive and cotton fibers were removed from the paint surface, the paint surface was brush varnished witha very dilute solution of keytone resin N,dissolved in xylene and mineral spirits. The surface was then spray varnished with acryloid B-72. Losses were filleed with a calcium carbonate gesso. The fill was applied to the losses and textured to match the surrounding topography of the original paint. Loses were inpainted with pigments ground in Acryloid B-72 and keytone resin-N. Inpainted was done based on the objective information left in the surrounding original paint. The final varnish was a thin spray of acryloid B-72, very thin B-67 then a heavier acryloid B-72
Expected completion date: 2000-05-19