Conservation Services Offered

Before treatment (above)

After treatment (below)

Restoring flat plane
Often paintings on canvas may become loose, bulged, dented or rippled, conditions which may lead to lifting paint or other kinds of deterioration. We can safely restore the canvas to its original flat plane.

Surface cleaning
Paintings may become soiled over time from cooking residues, fireplace or tobacco smoke, dust or other air-borne agents. Our cleaning techniques remove these surface soils, restoring the work to its original color and appearance.

Removal of yellowed or darkened varnish
Most paintings have been given a topcoat of organic varnish by the artist. Over time this varnish may become yellowed or darkened, distorting the original colors of the painting and hiding subtle details. We soften and remove the old varnish and replace it with a non-yellowing varnish that will maintain the true colors of the painting for generations to come.

Consolidation of loose and flaking paint
Paint may crack and begin to flake off due to shrinkage of the canvas, heat, dampness or other factors. We use state-of-the-art conservation techniques to consolidate the flaking paint, that is, to secure it against further loss. We then fill any paint voids and “in-paint” the filled areas to match the surrounding color and design.

Repairing holes and tears
We repair punctures, holes and tears in paintings using techniques that may include patches or synthetic re-weaves, repairing the tear and providing a base for filling and in-painting to restore its original appearance. The result is virtually undetectable.

Lining a painting
In cases of extensive damage or deterioration it may be appropriate to “line” a painting, that is, to carefully remove the canvas from its wooden stretchers and bond it to a stable support or reinforcing canvas. It is then re-stretched, allowing the other treatments such as cleaning and in-painting to be carried out.

These are just a few of the procedures that we routinely perform. Click on Case Studies to see examples of these and more.