Title: CONSERVATION OF A HISTORIC PANEL
OIL-PAINTING COATED WITH AN ANCIENT VARNISH LAYER
Author(s): Yosr ELSAYED
Journal: SHEDET(Annual Peer-Reviewed Journal Issued
By The Faculty Of Archaeology, Fayoum University)
Issue: 6 Date: 2019
Pages: 238-256
Cite as: Yosr ELSAYED(2019).CONSERVATION OF A
HISTORIC PANEL OIL-PAINTING COATED WITH AN ANCIENT VARNISH LAYER. SHEDET(Annual
Peer-Reviewed Journal Issued By The Faculty Of Archaeology, Fayoum University),
6 (2019) pp. 238-256.10.36816/shedet.006.14
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CONSERVATION OF A HISTORIC PANEL OIL-PAINTING COATED WITH
AN ANCIENT VARNISH LAYER
Yosr ELSAYED
10.36816/shedet.006.14
The present research addresses the study and removal an ancient varnish layer
covering the case study painting from private properties, after investigation
and analysis, as well as treatment of the entire object. The study is divided
into three phases. Phase 1, using some non-invasive techniques such as the
MA-XRF, MA-FTIR, X-ray radiography IR reflectography and UV radiation imaging,
in addition to SEM-EDX, to analyse the case study, to identify the case study
components and the deterioration phenomena. The results revealed a limewood
support, with zincite, cerussite, red ochre, yellow ochre, cobalt blue, bone
black and linseed oil in the ground and paint layers. Moreover, it was
identified that the object was painted by the famous Egyptian painter Mahmoud
Sa'id in the early 20th century. Its surface suffers from a thick layer of
ancient varnish. Phase 2, the study conducted in-vitro experiments on a
simulated painted model to assess the ideal technique for varnish removal. It
was proven that the gel dispersion of PVAL, borax, ethanol, and water was the
most efficient formula. Phase 3, Treatment of the object included varnish
removal, chemical cleaning, inpainting, and consolidation.
KEYWORDS
Panel painting; MA-XRF; MA-FTIR; SEM-EDX; Varnish removal; Treatment;
Conservation.