Minimal Intervention

Historically in the field of paintings conservation, structural issues ranging from insecurities in the paint layer to tears and distortions in the canvas were addressed with overall lining of the canvas. While overall lining is occasionally a necessary solution, many structural concerns can be addressed locally, preserving important physical evidence of the painting's construction by avoiding removal from the auxiliary support. 

Although these local treatments are minimally interventive, they are often more time consuming and require sensitive monitoring and fine hand skills. In order to support the canvas during structural work a custom contoured rigid insert was constructed to fit behind the void of the strainer. 

Until insecure paint was consolidated, it was safer to avoid having the painting completely vertical at the easel. 

Wedge supports were used to keep the painting at a gentle incline when necessary for photography and access to the verso. Debris, contributing to distortions, was gently removed from behind the strainer bar.

Fine adjustments and shims were used to insure that the internal supports fit properly and would not introduce any new stress points. Frequent evaluation was necessary given the hand-crafted, novice construction.  

 

Evidence Preserved

As an itinerant painter, Taylor likely did not receive much if any formal training. The Trent Family portraits demonstrate the same unique approach to stretching the canvas where the proper left side is tacked to the face of the strainer (detail below, right). Local treatment allows the canvas to remain as a package with its strainer (detail below left) and details like the placement of tacks, turn-over margin, corner folds/attachment can be studied in context. This evidence could become obscured or lost if the canvas had to be released from its original support. 

 

Humidification

Gradual humidification was performed locally using damp Gore-Tex®  to deliver water vapor from the verso. Polyester film templates were created as custom masks to carefully expand the local area of treatment. Once the canvas and paint layers were supple they were gently manipulated into plane (sometimes with gentle addition of heat) and dried under blotters and weight. 

Local humidification with partial weighting and gradual expansion of treatment area. 

Local area after humidification, drying, and flattening under weight. 

Passive Support

As this canvas remains unlined, a padded insert was created to provide additional support and gentle protection. The polyester batting is custom-contoured to the strainer void and is attached to a removable backing board. Therefore, inscriptions remain visible and readily accessible for future study. Tears were also addressed locally to prevent any telegraphing of the outline of bulky material to the face of the canvas. 

 

All images related to this project are presented here courtesy of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

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