Cleaning Hugo
The painting of course.
I’ve been completely behind with the whole blogging thing. I think it is after the massive success of making myself write some journals on my progress; I didn’t want to get ahead of myself. So a made a few ‘notes to self’ on future blogs and journals and completely lost track of time and what I was planning to write and why.
So, cycling back round to the point. a couple of months back, a little earlier in ‘lockdown’ I was contacted and asked if I would clean a painting for a client in nearby Earlsferry.
It was a large oil painting of the Hougomont Barque by Frank Mason set in it’s original ornate frame. And while the cleaning of priceless oil painting’s is not useually a task I would undertake, it just so happened that I know a painting conservator on furlough from her conservation studio at the time.
On first inspection, the painting appeared in good condition. The client had asked only for a light clean to the surface of the canvas (no varnish removal) which would be done with a latex sponge and some distilled water
Tatjana Wischniowski Paintings Conservator
So when the sizable Hougomont first arrived at West Muiracambus, the first task was to remove the frame and brown paper backing, to see what contition the canvas was in underneath.
This is truly when the fun began. As soon as the back was removed it became apparent that back of The Hugomont’s canvas was covered in mould. This is not something you can leave or you want to have around the workshop.
So after a quick (ish -okay 1hr) consultation with my friend and cohort on this project Tatjana, we discussed how best to deal with the mould. As I had all the relevant materials necessary ( 1 hoover including HEPA filter, 2 goat hair brush, 3 PPE ) I was tasked with the mould removal.
Lightly brushing the mould towards the hoover nozzle (not going full suction on the canvas, or scrubbing the back) I went over the back of the canvas 2- 3 times with the brush and hoover, making sure to brush into the canvas strecher. Even when there were no longer any signs of the mould- it was a precaution against spores which still might not be visible.
The canvas was then wraped and trasported for the second stage- surface cleaning.
After delivering the canvas at a socially acceptable distance to Tatjana’s home in St Andrews, she lightly cleaned the surface of the canvas using distilled water and microporous sponge. Working a small area at a time to remove the surface dirt. For those wondering why she selected the microporous latex sponge, as opposed to a natural sponge; the answer is simple. The microporous sponge retains very little moisture. A requirement for this kind of work, as higher quantities of water and moisture will inevetibly damage an art work and/ or cause further mould and damp issues.
Too much moisture in a sponge demonstrated by Bridgette Bardot
As it was quite a sizable painting, once half of the cleaning was complete, she sent me a before and after image, and the results were clear. Having spent many years being hung above a fireplace in Glasgow, dust and soot from the fire had dulled the brightness of the overall image!
Right hand side cleaned: The brightness of the water and the clarity of the sky. all signs the painting required a refresh!
Once the cleaning was complete and the painting returned; all that was left for me to do was reassemble the painting in the frame and make sure the backing was with an acid free fluted correx, as an extra barrier agaist future climate and mould.
A list of our findings were written up, including the mould and a historic tear in the canvas (fixed by a previous conservator); as well as a consise list of all work and treatment done.
The client was delighted with the end result and very happy that they decided to embark on having their heirloom cleaned and cared for.
Special thanks to Tatjana for all her work on this project; it was great fun to have someone to work alongside. Even if it was somewhat remotely durning lockdown. I’m sorry to say she is moving back to Germany as of early December, so any future collaborations will be very remote indeed! You will be missed!