Academic thesis

Ute Heinisch: From the collection of marouflaged paintings at the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna: Conservation history and treatment options, exemplified by a Portrait of a lady, canvas on panel, 53 x 44 cm, after 1600 back

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Portrait of a lady, before (left side) and after restoration treatment.
Abstract: This thesis deals with marouflaged canvas paintings of the KHM with regard to the question of whether there existed a region or school where marouflage was done by artists or whether it was done as part of conservation treatment. Investigative results on technical characterisation and condition symptoms are outlined. One painting chosen for closer examination and restoration treatment showed a change of dimensions, canvas delaminating from the panel and facing papers having intermingled with the varnish. In x-ray, evidence of an original stretching on a strainer was identified. Due to a lack of documentary sources suggestions for the treatment history are given. Browning and crystallization monitored on the adhesive were identified by FTIR being honey. Test panels were prepared to gain knowledge about the influencing factors.
The options of conserving the canvas on its secondary support while accepting its later additions or taking it off and re-stretching are discussed. Attempts for a part-removal took place involving mechanical and chemical methods. It was ultimately found that most damages were irreversible and caused by the marouflage process. As no further movement of the panel is to be expected, the balance of risk through removal was declined. Minimal intervention also retains the possibility for a future removal. The treatment consisted of removing facing papers, flattening and re-attaching the canvas, followed by thinning the varnish, removing overpaint in the background, integrating losses and brushing a final Dammar varnish.

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Details:
  • academic institution: Akademie der bildenden Künste Wien
  • kind of theses:  Diplomarbeit
  • main Tutor:  o.Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dipl.Ing. Wolfgang Baatz
  • assistant Tutor:  Mag. Anke Schäning, Mag. Elisabeth Scheel
  • date:  2007
  • Language:  German
  • pages:  157
 
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Creative Commons Lizenzvertrag This work is licensed under a Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 3.0 Germany License.
DOI (Digital Object Identifier) 10.5165/hawk-hhg/284

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