Conservation of Paintings and Icons


Female Figure with a Bird

Artist unknown (American?); early 20th century
24" x 20"
Intarsia (inlaid wood)
Private collection, New York City

1. Before conservation treatment. Thick, yellowed varnish flattens the space of the image and distorts the intended color of the wood pieces.

2. After conservation treatment. The old varnish was removed. The intended variety of colors and three-dimensionality of forms have been reestablished again. A thin varnish layer was applied to saturate and protect the surface.

3. Before conservation treatment (detail). Yellowed varnish has shrunk into little islands.

4. After conservation treatment (detail).

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