This oil  painting’s varnish is covered with grime and discolored- yellowed leaving the original colors dim and darker than the artist had originally intended. If you are thinking about whether you should have a painting cleaned, remember this: cleaning artwork is usually an aesthetic issue/question… not a preservation question. If all you are concerned about is preserving the painting, then don’t have it cleaned. If you want to have it look its best, then cleaning may be required.

Also on this painting; towards the lower left side there is a small 2″ tear in the canvas. This is a preservation problem to be corrected. But here also you will be asked to make a decision: to patch or to “line” the painting. Actually, there is third choice. We don’t patch paintings because they set into motion other problems in the future (cracking patterns, puckering/bulges). But a local “reweaving” of the rip may be possible and the rip may be repaired without a patch and without lining. Your local conservator/restorer can explain this to you. Each choice has a long term preservation consequence.

The lost paint at the rip will then need to be filled and inpainted to match perfectly. If you decide to have the painting cleaned and treat the rip so it is not visible, after restoration the painting will have brighter colors, enhanced depth of field, the tear will disappear and the varnish will look even and clear. Then, you’ll need to think about lighting at home or the office… but that’s another blog post.

Here’s a quick video that may be of interest:

Questions about conservation/restoration? Call us toll free at 888-704-7757

Questions about preparing your stuff for an earthquake or hurricane? Click on “Products” at the top of the page.

Questions about art and antique appraisals? Call Richard at (805) 895-5121

Questions about working with an insurance claim? Call us toll free at 888-704-7757

Also see: www.tipsforartcollectors.org
www.insurancepersonalpropertyassessment.com

What can you do at home or at the office to protect and save your artwork and collectibles from damage in an earthquake or hurricane?

Go to www.saveyourstuff.com/museum-wax-package

Here’s another 30 second video