Condition.

The Portrait of a Lady was in extremely bad condition. It did not appear to have been restored in the past, unusual for a painting over 250 years old.

The canvas was very fragile and weak and the painting had suffered a large multi directional tear in the sitter’s torso. A network of age cracks covered the surface much of which was associated with cupping paint. Pronounced stretcher bar marks were visible around the edges.

There was a thick layer of dirt on the surface below which there was a severely discoloured varnish. 

Conservation treatment. 

Due to the poor condition of the canvas and the large tear, it was necessary to reinforce the support with a glue paste lining.

The dirt and discoloured varnish were removed and the losses were filled and textured. A fresh varnish was applied to enhance the colours and the fills and cracks were retouched to reintegrate as much as possible.