The Oil Painting Conservation Studio

ART RESTORATION

BACKING BOARDS
Backing boards are important for three reasons:

* Backing boards keep dust and debris from collecting on the reverse and from accumulating in pockets behind the bottom stretcher..
* Backing boards create a micro-environment that eases fluctuations in room temperature and humidity.
* Backing boards protect the reverse from accidental blows.

Backing boards are also a good place to attach relevant photos and other information about the painting.

Accumulated debris trapped over time

* Paper labels can be preserved under a Mylar shield

Debris trapped between the canvas and bottom stretcher.

INSECTS

Furniture beetles, woodworms, powder post beetles,

Insect damage to wood stretchers. Pockets of insect eggs.

UV INPAINTING

This was a special project that entailed matching the inpainting in both incandescent light and ultra violet light. The artist was one of the first to experiment with fluorescent pigment painting. The first picture shows the painting in normal light. The second picture shows the painting in ultra violet light. The last picture shows the pigments obtained from the Day-Glo corporation used to restore the painting.

UV and X-Ray EXAMINATION