REVEALING THE ARTIST'S INTENDED COLOURS

Dean Wolstenholme (1757-1837)
The End of the Chase
oil on canvas
Acc. No: 1654

Early Condition: This painting had been previously conserved. The first indication of this treatment is the lining where the original tacking margins on the canvas were removed. This treatment is indicative of a commercial lining technique used in England in the early 1900’s. The whole painting was covered by a layer of surface dirt and discoloured varnish. The overall appearance was quite yellowed so that the artist’s colours could no longer be appreciated as he intended.

Current treatment: Photographic documentation of the original state of the work was done, and solvent and reagent tests were carried out. Once a solvent with a good safety margin had been identified, cleaning proceeded using a swab stick with cotton wool. Once the dirt and yellowed varnish had been removed, the whole picture was given a layer of isolating varnish using a brush. Small damages were retouched and then a final, non-yellowing spray varnish was applied. The wooden stretcher keys behind the canvas were fixed in position so that they would not be lost, and it was secured in the frame using brass plates.