Huntsmen taking Refreshment at the Fox Inn Oil on canvas
36 x 46 cm
Acc. No: 1722

Previous condition: The painting exhibited a type of localized blooming in the upper right hand area. Previously the painting had been commercially composition lined. In this process part of the tacking margins on the top and left hand side had been flattened and used as part of the painting. The remaining tacking margins had been removed. The removal of the tacking margins were typical of commercial liners of the 19th Century. The tacked sides had not been covered by gum tape, as was the usual practice at that time. A layer of surface dirt and discoloured varnish covered the surface of the painting. It appeared that the painting layer has been abraded in previous cleaning as the peaks of the canvas appear to have had only a thin glaze covering them. Extensive over-paint was present including were the top and left hand side that was an extension of the tacking margin.

Treatment: Removal of surface dirt, varnish and re-touching in separate layers following tests. Dirt was removed from between the canvas and the stretcher bar. The back of the canvas and stretcher were cleaned. A brush conservation varnish was applied. Retouching was carried out using restoration colours and a final varnish applied. The frame was cleaned and the painting was secured using brass plates.