(1756 – 1823)
Portrait of Lt Gen Hay McDowell Oil on canvas
239,1 x 152,5cm
Acc No: 1589

Previous Condition: The painting had been previously conserved. In that treatment the painting had been cleaned and lined where the original tacking margins had been removed. The treatment is typical of commercial restorations in England during the early 1900s and together with the provenance of the painting, one could assume that this is when the painting was last conserved. Since then, the varnish had aged and become yellow and the colours could not be appreciated as the artist intended.

Treatment: Following tests, the surface dirt and discoloured varnish were removed with the appropriate reagent and solvent. Dirt was removed from between the canvas and the stretcher bar and the back of the canvas was cleaned. An isolating conservation varnish was applied with a brush and small damages losses were retouched using conservation colours. A final varnish was then applied.
The frame was cleaned, velvet ribbon was applied to the rebate and the painting was secured using brass plates. The treatment was carried out in 1998.

» Read about a possible third version of this painting