UPDATING AN EARLIER RESTORATION

James Pollard (1792-1867)
The Birmingham and Coventry Coach
oil on canvas
Acc. No: 1648

Earlier condition: This painting has been previously “lined” in an earlier restoration in around 1900. In that process a new canvas had been adhered to the aged original canvas. The lining used was a typical commercial one in which the original tacking margins on the edge of the older canvas were cut off. At that time the original early 19th-century varnish had been removed, small losses were re-touched and a final natural resin varnish had been applied. By 2003, the second varnishing yellowed with the passage of time and required removal.

Current treatment: The old and yellowed varnish was removed with a safe and effective solvent chosen in careful tests to identify the best one. A modern, reversible, non-yellowing and synthetic varnish was then applied. Small damages were retouched with reversible retouching colours and then a final layer of modern varnish was applied. Reversible restorer’s colours are specially designed to be easily removeable in the future. Unlike artist’s oil paint they remain soluble.