Conservation of Paintings and Icons

Portrait of Woman with Gold Earrings

1. The painting before restoration. The painting with old, pronounced cracks had been glued to a cardboard in order to keep the canvas flat; its tacking edges had been cut. The unsuccessful attachment of the canvas to the board caused further raising of the cracks.

2. The painting before restoration (detail). The raised edges of the cracks made it difficult to see the image. A thick, yellowed varnish keeps the surface stiff and brittle.

3. The painting during restoration. The canvas was removed from the cardboard and the glue was cleaned from its back. The varnish is being removed. The canvas is relaxed and flattened as much as possible.

4. The painting after restoration. Although the cracks (like wrinkles on an old face) will always remain visible to some extent, the flattening and cleaning allow the details of the sitter's face, her clothes and the earrings to become visible.

© 2002-2011 Olga Nikolic-Litwin, Conservation of Paintings and Icons, NYC, New York