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Treatment; 06 Aug 2011; Undertake condition assessments, undertake minor remedial conservation as required, re-fit paintings into frames.; Organics

Reason: Storage
Description: Frame Any flaking gilding was consolidated with Medium for Consolidation (MfC, Lascaux 4176 acrylic dispersion) applied neat beneath the lifting flakes with a small sable brush. Any minor losses in the gliding where the white gesso was revealed were toned in with watercolour (Rowney artists quality) and a small sable brush. The Brown paper tape was removed from the back of the frame mechanically, by first wetting with water to activate the old glue and then scraping with a palette knife.Any other old tape adhesive residues were also. The whole frame, back and front was cleaned with low powered vacuum cleaner and soft brushes.The frame rebate was then lined with new brown paper tape strips (the tape's glue was activated with water and the paper strips attached and shaped around the rebates) and polyester velvet ribbon adhered on top of the tape with a PVA adhesive (Resin W; Evo-stick) Painting Settled dust was removed from the painting's surface with a soft brush. The dirt on the verso and the stretcher bars was removed with low powered vacuum cleaner and brushes. The stretcher bars were further cleaned with Chemsponge/smoke sponge (vulcanized rubber molecular trap, containing a minuscule percentage of mild soap i.e. <30grm per 500kg), wiped across the surface. Stretcher keys were tied in position - Keys were left in situ, small holes were drilled into each key using a manual hand drill and nylon picture wire was threaded through each hole and secured to the edge stretcher bar with a brass screw and cup. Small areas of abrasion to the varnish on the front of the painting (corresponding to the frame rebates) were reduce with Acetone applied to the surface varnish on a small sable brush. Re-fit The painting was re-fitted into the frame in the following way. The painting was place in the back of the frame with the edges of the painting resting on the velvet tape of the lined rebate. Balsa wood and Plastazote (polyethylene) spacers (secured in position with either PVA or strip of brown paper tape) were placed in gaps between the painting and frame edge to prevent the painting from moving. Brass plates were shaped toconform to the back of the painting and the frame and screwed into position with brass round head screws to hold the painting in place. The inner edge of the brass plate, where it touches the back of the painting) was lined with thin plastazote (adhered in position with PVA). The back of the painting and frame was then covered with a soft backing of Melinex (polyester) secured to the back of the frame with gummed linen tape and galvanised staples. Holes were re-cutto replace any hanging fittings that were removed during treatment.
Details: Treatment

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