Projects
Portrait of a Lady
Artist unknown
Circa 1750
Oil on canvas
Condition.
The Portrait of a Lady was in extremely bad condition. It did not appear to have been restored in the past, unusual for a painting over 250 years old.
The canvas was very fragile and weak and the painting had suffered a large multi directional tear in the sitter’s torso. A network of age cracks covered the surface much of which was associated with cupping paint. Pronounced stretcher bar marks were visible around the edges.
There was a thick layer of dirt on the surface below which there was a severely discoloured varnish.
Conservation treatment.
Due to the poor condition of the canvas and the large tear, it was necessary to reinforce the support with a glue paste lining.
The dirt and discoloured varnish were removed and the losses were filled and textured. A fresh varnish was applied to enhance the colours and the fills and cracks were retouched to reintegrate as much as possible.
![Before treatment.](https://www.conservationregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2a-before-adj-1.jpg)
![After treatment.](https://www.conservationregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2b-after-adj-copy-1.jpg)
![Tear before treatment.](https://www.conservationregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/3-adj.jpg)
![Tear after filling and toning down.](https://www.conservationregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/4-adj.jpg)
![Portrait of a Lady](https://www.conservationregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/5-adj.jpg)
![Face before treatment.](https://www.conservationregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/6-adj.jpg)
![Portrait of a Lady](https://www.conservationregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/7-adj.jpg)
![Face after treatment.](https://www.conservationregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/10adj.jpg)
![Craquelure before treatment.](https://www.conservationregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/11-adj.jpg)
![Portrait of a Lady](https://www.conservationregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/12-adj.jpg)