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The Conservation of Eight Large Scale Capricci Paintings by Pietro Paltonieri (c. 1740s) from the Dining Room at Shugborough Hall, National Trust
Posted: April 3, 2020This project involved the conservation of eight large scale capricci paintings from the Dining Room at Shugborough Hall, National Trust. Unusually, the capricci were painted in distemper (pigment bound with animal glue) on canvas. With a complex attribution history: seven of the capricci are by Pietro Paltronieri (1673–1741); two were later extended by Biagio Rebecca (1731–1808); and the eighth has recently been re-attributed to Antonio Joli (1700-1777). The capricci paintings were prioritised for conservation work owing to the instability of the distemper paint layers, which were lifting and flaking away from the canvas support. Conservation of the eight large scale paintings took place between October 2018 and December 2019 and was funded by the National Trust. Treatments carried out included: carrying out an in depth mapping survey of flaking paint prior to conservation; taking cross-section samples for analysis; consolidation; surface cleaning; cleaning of the reverse; attachment of protective backings; filling and retouching; full photography and documentation. -
HSBC Staff Index – 1920’s Spring Back Account Binding
Posted: April 3, 2020The project involved the documentation and conservation treatment of a much-consulted 1920's full leather spring back account binding. The text block had been previously repaired with heavy, damaging repairs that frequently obscured the text. The binding structure had collapsed and 60% of the spine was missing. What remained was worn and de-laminating. The sewing was broken and several sections were detached. The aims of treatment were to enable the book to endure frequent safe-handling by researchers. -
The Conservation of a Severely Flood Damaged Painting, ‘At the First Touch of Winter, Summer Fades Away’ by Valentine Cameron Prinsep (1897) from Gallery Oldham, Greater Manchester
Posted: April 2, 2020This painting was conserved following a flood at Gallery Oldham which occurred during ‘The Beast from the East’ in March 2018. Treatments included: on site visits to carry out emergency first aid treatments; pre-stretching the canvas once it arrived in the conservation studio; consolidation of the tented and flaking paint layers; lining the weakened canvas onto a secondary support canvas; refurbishiing the stretcher; replacing the painting back onto the stretcher; varnish and over-paint removal; filling, retouching and varnishing; full photography and documentation. -
Book of inventories of various College possessions (1506-89), the Archive Centre, King’s College, Cambridge
Posted: April 1, 2020A limp vellum binding with foredge flap and short parchment ties, and a paper textblock with manuscript in iron gall ink, predominantly in the first half. The textblock was originally sewn on just two double tanned leather sewing supports with linen thread, but the sewing structure and supports had broken down completely and the textblock had become detached from the vellum cover. Given the shrinkage and distortion of the original limp vellum cover, a new binding was required in addition to extensive textblock repairs. The College Archivist was keen to retain a similar binding with foredge flap while ensuring that it could be opened and displayed with ease. -
Pickering Donation Book, Trigge Library, the Church of St Wulfram, Grantham
Posted: April 1, 2020A mid eighteenth-century compendium of four printed books (Prayers, Bible, Concordance and Psalms) in a full calfskin binding recently located at a local Grantham school and kindly donated to the Trigge Library. The textblock had considerable surface dirt, tears, losses, and loose sections. The calfskin binding had a detached front board, loose back board, no spine leather, bumped boards and missing board leather. The book required extensive conservation so that it could be consulted and displayed in the Trigging Library in future. -
Bishop Marshall panel, Llandaff Cathedral, Cardiff
Posted: March 31, 2020Conservation, restoration and technichal analysis of the panel. -
Conservation of William Talbot by Sir Godfrey Kneller
Posted: March 31, 2020The full conservation and restoration of the portrait of William Talbot by Sir Godfrey Kneller -
Margaret Linsday Williams project, Dyffryn House, National Trust
Posted: March 31, 2020The Margaret Lindsay Williams project included the full conservation and restoration of the 'Imprisoned Soul' by Margaret Lindsay Williams, and the in situ conservation of three paintings by the same artist at Dyffryn House, South Wales. All four paintings were found in the house in less than ideal conditions when the National Trust took over lease of the house a few years previously. The Margaret Lindsay Williams project aim was to conserve the paintings, three in situ, and included the re-display of all four paintings in an exhibition alongside information about the artist, who was born in Wales. This was due to open in March 2020, but because of the situation with Covid-19 this is likely to be postponed until later in the year. -
The Conservation Treatment of 6 Clive Gardiner Original Poster Art Works for Goldsmiths University Library
Posted: March 31, 2020The project included the assessment, documentation and treatment of 6 posters, recently donated to the library after years of storage in a garage by a close relative of the artist. They were up to 50% detached from their milldew-stained backings and in danger of further damage due to their unstable condition, lack of protection and the evidence of existing mould. They needed to be stable, safely-stored and be ready to handle and display, as recent and important donations to the collection. -
Downham Benevolent Society
Posted: March 30, 2020The Downham Benevolent Society, was formed in the 18th century and is an early example of an ‘insurance’ society with the aim to provide benefits in the event of sickness or accident and to help towards funeral costs for members and their families. It is thought to have started in 1795 and commemorated its centenary in 1885 with the unveiling of a large silk banner painted by Joseph Skerret. The banner was formerly kept in the village church in less than favourable conditions until a community group was established to raise funds and have the banner conserved for future generations. The group were successful in their application to the National Heritage Lottery Fund and the banner came to PHM for conservation in 2016.