Week One: Varnish Removal

Hi, I am here to tell you what I did in my first week of work. The paint layer carries the aesthetic information of the painting, and therefore it is the most important layer to preserve. If a painting has any flaking paint, it should be secured immediately. The paint layer on this panel painting is remarkably secure. However, the wooden support has developed a split along the center of the image. The paint layer by the split may be insecure, and so it was consolidated with an adhesive. Prior to applying the glue, a mixture of water and an organic solvent was brushed on the area, to enable the glue to penetrate more effectively. The type of adhesive selected to consolidate the area was animal glue, since this material is compatible with the original glue already present in the ground layer. Once the paint layer has been secured, the removal of the discolored varnish layer can start. I hope to see you next week at the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Detail, area of consolidation.		Detail, animal glue adhesive.

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