CLEANING

Cleaning of the painting is very complicated and hazardous procedure and is seldom a simple matter. Many tests must be done before the right solvent  or cleaning agent will be aproved.     Painting surface cleaning involves the use of cleaning agents/solvents to remove surface dirt, old varnish and removal of retouches and overpaints.

SURFACE DIRT REMOVAL According to the nature of the dirt layer, the surface of the painting can be treated either by "dry cleaning" or by "wet cleaning".    In "dry cleaning" the dirt is removed mechanically, in "wet cleaning" we use aqueous cleaning agents.

Dramatic changes after surface wet cleaning.            German Landscape, 19thc.

Cigaret smoke deposit on glass which protected 19th c. tempera painting shows how badly smoke deposit can change appearance of the artwork. Removal of smoke and dirt layers is the first stage of cleaning.

Cleaning of painting W.H.Howe, 19thc, American

Three stages of cleaning: A - surface not cleaned B - surface dirt removed C - varnish removed

Varnish removal - is one of the most difficult procedure in the process of painting restoration.  It brings risks to the paint layer, and changes the appearence of the painting. If the paint layer is very sensitive we can thinn only the varnish layer or do the partial removal in the areas where the paint is more stable.   Tests should show us if the complete varnish removal is possible.

Complete varnish removal "Madonna and Child" school of Tintoretto                  Italian, 16th c.

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Paintings Conservation