TITLE: Shepherd and Sheep TECHNIQUE: Oil on panel
SIGNATURE: Not present
DIMENSIONS: 209 x 144 mm
FRAME: Wooden, gesso moulded, gilded gold
TREATMENT: October – December 2007

CONDITION REPORT
PRIMARY SUPPORT The support is a 5mm thick oak. There is a label underneath the accession number label and to read;

“James Bourlet & Sons, Ltd.,
Fine Art Packers, Frame Maker
C 23863
17 & 18, Nassau Street,
Mortimer Street, W.
Phone; - Museum 1817 & 7588�
A second label in the centre reads “121� and to the right of the accession label is a label that reads “6750�.

GROUND The ground is fairly thinly applied, is cream in colour and a few losses can be seen on the corners or edges (top left corner, near the right top corner,along the right central area of the rebate edge and bottom right corner).

PAINT LAYER The artist has applied the paint thinly with impasto in the highlights of the sheep, details of the front figures clothing and leaves of the trees. Scratches to the paint layer can be seen in the upper right hand corner. In the lighter areas of the forground, the higher areas of the ground seem to be darker than the hollows, suggesting abrasion in a previous cleaning treatment.

VARNISH LAYER The natural resin varnish layer is discoloured and a layer of surface dirt covers this.

TREATMENT CARRIED OUT

• Photographic record was taken and this was maintained throughout treatment.
  
• Tests were carried out to remove the surface dirt. Following this cleaning was carried out using the appropriate reagent.
  
• Following tests including a safety margin-cleaning test, an organic solvent was used to remove the discoloured varnish layer safely and effectively. Cleaning proceeded using a swab stick.
  
• An isolating brush conservation varnish was applied. Small localized losses were retouching and a final varnish was applied.
  
• The frame was cleaned, small losses filled and coloured and the painting secure in the frame using flexible brass plates.