TITLE: Selling Fish TECHNIQUE: Oil on panel
SIGNATURE: G. Morland, bottom off centre, to left
DIMENSIONS: 27 x 147 mm
FRAME: Wooden, gesso moulded, gilded gold
TREATMENT: October – December 2007

CONDITION REPORT
PRIMARY SUPPORT The primary support is a 4 mm thick oak panel with bevelled edges. The condition is sound. Four small losses to the panel can be seen along the top edge, one on the upper left-hand side and one on the lower right-hand corner.

GROUND The ground is off-white in colour. Like the primary support the condition is sound and the losses are seen in the same areas as the losses to the primary support.

PAINT LAYER The artist has applied the paint thinly with impasto in the highlights of the dog, clothing and cloud. Small losses can be seen along the rebate edge of the right hand side. A fine crack pattern can be seen in the light areas of the sky. The hollows appear to be darker and the peaks light, suggesting abrasion in a previous cleaning treatment.

VARNISH LAYER The natural resin varnish layer is discoloured and a layer of surface dirt covers this. This is not the original varnish.

TREATMENT CARRIED OUT

• Photographic record was taken and this was maintained throughout treatment.
  
• Tests were carried out to remove the surface dirt. Once the appropriate reagent was identified, removal of the surface dirt was carried out.
  
• 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. Losses were retouching and a final varnish applied.
  
• The frame was cleaned, small losses retouched and the painting secure using brass plates.