Projects
Conservation/restoration of ‘Brig O’ Balgownie’ by William Purser, 1835.
Conservation/restoration of the oil painting ‘Brig O’ Balgownie’ by William Purser, painted 1835. The varnish coat was degraded apart from the edges that were protected by the rebate of the frame. Paint/ground losses were associated with a large cross shaped tear. A lacuna and abrasions, caused by rubbing in its frame, were present along the edges. Compact dust and debris between the canvas and strainer member were causing bulges along the lower edge. The canvas had oxidised. There were some losses of gesso and gilding on the frame. A small compo piece was moving. The hanging rings were loose and inadequate.
The loose paint/ground flakes along the tear and strainer bar cracks were consolidated. The painting was surface cleaned along the front and back. The canvas was removed from its strainer. The tear and canvas were moisture treated to flatten. The tear was mended and the canvas lined (attachment of second canvas). The canvas was re-stretched on an aluminium stretcher. The varnish coat was selectively removed on top of the sky and light colours. The paint/ground losses along the tear were filled. The fills, abrasions, specks and shallow paint losses were retouched. The painting was brush and spray varnished. The frame was surface cleaned. The loose hanging rings were replaced by two hooks. The small gesso and gilding losses were retouched. A wood build-up was added to the back of the frame. The inner slip and painting were secured with canvas offsets (S-bent metal plates) and screws. The loose compo piece was consolidated. A backing material was attached to the back of the frame to protect the painting.
