Projects
Japanese woodblock print
Project Summary
The conservation of “Naruto Whirlpool” Awa Province, from the series Views of Famous Places in the Sixty-Odd Provinces, by Utagawa Hiroshige (Japanese, Tokyo (Edo) 1797–1858 Tokyo (Edo)), a master of the Ukiyo-e tradition.
The print was solidly adhered to its window mount and backing board.
Treatment involved the removal of the window mount and backing board, rectifying inappropriate retouching of the corners and cleaning.
This beautifully executed woodcut print was produced in the middle of the 19th century. Made using organic colours and ink and printed on soft, handmade Kozo paper.
A delicate print, which was confined within a thick, acidic sandwich of wood pulp boards and various adhesives.
The window mount covered the edges of the image.
Most concerning was the fact that the acids from the backing and window mount were migrating into the absorbent mulberry fibers, which were causing deterioration and overall discolouration.
On removal of the window mount the edges of the work were revealed, along with later retouching of each corner, which concealed the traditional, characteristic corners.
The deteriorating boards were removed, and the print was cautiously cleaning using a vacuum table to remove acids.
On completion of the treatment the stabilized print could be viewed in its entirety. The artwork was then hinged using Japanese water torn papers and an easily reversible, traditional, Japanese starch paste adhesive. It was ready for placement in a museum standard mount, whereby its reverse can also be appreciated.
