Removal of thick surface soot deposits and other surface accretions from a Joash Woodrow painting "Allotments with White Building" Paint on board

conservation services

108 conservation offers a comprehensive service to private collectors, museums, galleries and the fine art trade. With 25 years experience in the field of fine art, Andrew stewart DA, Dip Conservation is an accredited member of the United Kingdom Institute for Conservation and heads our team of experienced and qualified conservators. He has previously worked for muserums and galleries throughout the U.K. gaining several prestigious awards, including the National Gallery Conservation Bursary and the Winston churchill Fellowship. Between 1999 - 2003 he was employed as the head of the picture department at Phillips / Bonhams Auctioneers, North East region.

services offered include:

• The cleaning and structural repair of oil paintings on canvas, panel and metal supports
• Technical examination of paintings; x-ray, ultra violet, and infra red photography
• Site visits and surveys
• Photography
• Packing and transport
• Insurance valuations
• Framing and frame conservation
• Security advice.

Portrait of A Young Woman
by Mark Senior
Oil on canvas
30 x 20 inches.

During  close inspection of a Still Life painted around 1960, the faint raised outline of a head could be seen beneath  the still life picture. The canvas, which could be identified to  circa 1920, also bore the signature of Mark Senior on the reverse. Cleaning tests revealed a thick coat  of white ground layer beneath  the still life. Tests to remove this layer revealed the early, original paintwork of Mark Senior.

This photograph was taken during removal of the top layers of paint and ground layers.

© 108 Fine Art 2004