As part of our collections care programme, several paintings have been conserved to make sure they are in the best possible condition for when they go back on display in the refurbished museum.
Here’s the conservation process for The Trawler Northella.
Before and after images of the maritime painting,
Both sides of the painting and the stretcher were surface cleaned with dry brush and vacuum cleaner with suction control; and the back of the canvas and stretcher were further cleaned with smoke sponge.
The front of the painting was further cleaned a selection of conservation chemicals, followed by a final cleanse with swabs with de-ionised water.
A small tear in the canvas was consolidated with a collagen solution, and the area around the tear was flattened with application of humidity and weighs.
The loss around the tear was filled with a specialist filler paste and retouched.
The front and reverse of the frame were dry cleaned using soft brushes and vacuum extraction. The front was further cleaned with a mild chemical solution.
Paint flakes were consolidated, and cracks and small losses were filled-in and retouched.
