|
|
|
Beading for Fun and Profit: Bracelet Beading Birthday Parties
A birthday bracelet beading party for girls age 5 and up is guaranteed to be a big hit. Most girls are thrilled with the opportunity to make jewelry, and parents appreciate that you're providing both the party favors (the bracelets the girls make...
Eric Van Aro Releases Contemporary Jazz CD Friends
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Milan, Italy--November 28, 2005-- Artist Eric Van Aro has
a great voice filled with warmth and melody, which he had
applied to some well-known classics and originals in his
appealing new album titled Friends .
...
Fundamentals of Selling A Business - Preparation
Fundamentals of Selling A Business - Preparation Business owners invest much time and effort into their businesses, and most arrive at the hard decision to sell their businesses at some point in time. There are various reasons for selling a...
The Tools and Features of Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is one of the world's leading graphics editing programs, developed by Adobe Systems. Available on Mac OS or PC, Photoshop is used as one of the leading image design programs for the World Wide Web. The most recent version of...
The unknown masters of art
Paintings of the great masters can usually be seen on canvases hanging on the walls of great museums. These pieces of art are considered priceless paintings, that precautions are taken seriously in order to avoid them falling into the wrong hands....
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil On Canvas: Painting Conservation 101
Conservation is defined as remedial attention given to extend
the life of a work of art. The process often reconstitutes
missing material by additions. These additions may be either
visible or invisible and serve to restore the work's unity.
One of the most noticeable defects the public observes on a
painted surface is craquelure. Craquelure appears as a minute
crazing pattern on a painting's surface. The following layers
make up a painting:
1. Stretcher bars are covered by a canvas support
2. Canvas is coated with a sizing medium
3. Gesso (a ground layer) is applied over the sizing medium
4. Paint is layered over the sizing medium
5. Varnish is capped over all these layers
Ideally all these layers dry uniformly. When the harmony of
these layers is disrupted, a problem results, requiring
conservation. For instance, as the different layers absorb and
release moisture, expansion and contraction take place. As the
materials age, the ongoing process of change can take its toll.
Vibrations when art is transported can be harmful to one or more
layers, even though temperature and humidity are controlled.
Returning to craquelure, it is understandable that the canvas
has responds to a change in climactic conditions by either
shrinking or swelling. The amount of stress might differ from
the ground or paint layer. As these materials react to change
differently, they result first in craquelure and finally become
cleavage. Cleavage is the paint layer lifting from the canvas.
When craquelure appears as a function of age, it is generally
left untouched, provided the painting is still legible. Should
this condition become cleavage, a professional conservator must
be consulted.
Another easily noticed problem is a slackening of the canvas,
producing more "play" than was originally intended. Examine the
stretcher bars. If all the corners are fixed by glue
or nails
and cannot be adjusted mechanically, your painting is attached
to strainer bars, not stretcher bars. Stretcher bars have keys
(wedges of wood that permit adjusting of the bars) or
sophisticated metal elements that allow for adjustments. A
canvas left for many years on strainer bars could rip once the
canvas becomes brittle.
Yellowing or darkening varnish is another readily recognizable
issue. About every 25 years, review canvases for a
re-application of varnish. First the original varnish must be
removed by a professional conservator.
Frequently-Asked Questions
How do I find a good conservator? American Institute of
Conservation in Washington, DC 202 452-9545 is one source of
competent people. Call your local large museums for
recommendations as well as art appraisers in your area.
What can I expect from a conservator? It is customary for you to
be provided
a) Estimated cost of treatment b) Estimated time to complete the
treatment c) Conservator's steps to complete treatment d)
Anticipated result from the treatment (identification of what is
possible to remedy and to what degree)
How are the fees assessed? Conservators guestimate the number of
hours needed to complete the work (based on their past
experience).
Word of caution: Find out if your conservator has insurance and
if so, how much and what are the limitations of their coverage.
If they do not, call your insurance company to find out their
position on insuring your property while it is in the hands of a
conservator.
About the author:
Corinne Cain is the principal of Corinne Cain, Ltd, a nationally
recognized firm affording expert appraisal and consulting
services on Fine Art and Native American Art. Her background
includes an MFA and MBA from Southern Methodist University. Ms.
Cain is also the proprietor of http://Savvycollector.com, a
nationally known secondary art market dealer.
|
|
|
|
|
|