PAINTINGS RESTORATION - FIRE DAMAGE - INSURANCE CLAIMS

SZELAG ART CONSERVATION INC                     Saint  Louis             314-427-3006                            Since 1990

FIRE, SMOKE and WATER DAMAGE

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Fire is the worst accident beyond our control which can occur to painting. The dramatic process of damage begins with accumulation of layer of smoke and soot on the surface of painting. Extreme heat will cause the paint to swell then form rised blisters. These get bigger, finally bubbles filled with hot gases will crack and form open crater-like holes.

BEFORE

AFTER

oil on canvas by Nicolas Poussin (1594-1665), French , early 19th c. copy, original in Louvre, Paris

The Shepards of Arcadia

Water and fire extinguisher foam runs over the sooty paint surface leaving whitish streaks. If water penetrates through paint layer to the canvas or board this support may distort and shrink causing paint to lift away and form "tented" ridges of loose paint.

RESTORATION

As soon as possible after fire, surface  of the painting should be    - cleaned to remove the smoke, soot and other foreign matter    ( the presence of varnish can  significantly increase the chances of  succesfull cleaning) followed by reduction of any residual staining,           next is   -  consolidation and flattening of lifted blistered areas   -  repair of distortions or damages   -  fills and inpainting of areas of lost paint ( in most difficult  cases repainting of damaged  areas may be the only option to return the painting to a displayable condition)   -  varnishing

Upper part of the painting badly damage by fire

Our services are recommended by   *  Ivey - Selkirk Auctioneers *   *  Mercantile Library *         the  most prestigious       antique dealers in town    *  Kodner Gallery *    *  Jules Pass Antiques *    *  Clark Graves Antiques * and many antique and art galleries

Partial list of past and present clients    * State of Missouri     * Tower Grove Park     * Cupples House Museum     * Missouri Botanical Garden     * Anheuser- Busch     * Grant's Farm     * Campbell House Museum     * Saint Louis Club     * Ziern-Hanon Galleries     * Duane-Reed Galleries     * Deutschheim State Historic Site,* Hunter Dawson State Historic Site     * Bothwell Lodge State Historic Site,* Arrow Rock State Historic Site     * Pershing Boyhood State Historic Site

All objects are fully insured and protected