The Delicate Restoration of an 18th Century Oil Painting

👏The oil painting is an 18th-century masterpiece created by a follower of George Flegel.

🤑The painting is made on durable and desirable linen, cemented with oil.

🤔The restoration process involves removing accumulated dust, cleaning the back of the linen, and replacing old patches.

🐿Linen's durability comes from its evenly weighted threads, minimizing the risk of expansion or shrinkage.

🤬The restoration includes removing previous conservation attempts and carefully connecting old threads to new patches.

Who created the oil painting?

—The painting was created by a follower of George Flegel in the 18th century.

What material is the painting made on?

—The painting is made on durable and desirable linen, which is cemented with oil.

What is the process of the restoration?

—The restoration includes removing dust, cleaning the back of the linen, replacing old patches, and connecting old threads to new patches.

Why is linen a durable material for oil paintings?

—Linen's durability comes from its evenly weighted threads, which minimize the risk of expansion or shrinkage.

What does the restoration involve?

—The restoration involves removing previous conservation attempts and carefully connecting old threads to new patches.

00:02The oil painting requires urgent attention due to damage and previous careless restoration attempts.

00:10Surface level dust is removed to allow for a clear inspection of the painting's condition.

00:35The painting is carefully removed from its stretcher to facilitate the restoration process.

02:17The back of the linen is cleaned to remove additional patches and evidence of previous restoration attempts.

04:14Old patches are removed using hot water and careful pressure.

08:46The artwork's true condition is revealed through a detailed inspection under fluorescent light.

13:23New patches are prepared and attached to the old linen using a conservation adhesive.

19:15A new lining is added to protect the artwork and reinforce the original linen.