Park Slope
Brooklyn, New York
Conservation & Restoration of Fine Art & Historic Works on Paper in New York
Art Conservation and Restoration Gallery
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Henri Matisse - "Buste de femme acoudée avec bracelet"
Before
After
Etching, 1925 (detail)
The print was severely discolored from both light exposure and contact with acidic framing materials. It was washed in an alkaline bath to neutralize acidity and reduce discoloration and then bleached with hydrogen peroxide to eliminate residual discoloration and staining. The print was flattened between wool felts and cotton blotters. The pencil framer's mark below the signature was erased.
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Martín Ramírez - "Untitled"
Before
After
Painting on brown paper, c. 1962
The painting had extensive brown, translucent staining caused by rubber cement originally applied to the back by the artist. This was removed with toluene and ethanol applied on the vacuum suction table. Mold on the right edge was removed using a combination of powdered eraser crumbs to remove surface particles and hydrogen peroxide applied on the vacuum suction table to remove staining. Areas of pigment loss were inpainting with watercolors.
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Alexander Cabanel - "The Birth of Venus"
Before
After
Engraving, c.1865
The print has suffered from light exposure as well as extensive foxing (a fungal growth associated with iron content in the paper). It was washed in an alkaline bath to neutralize acidity and reduce discoloration and then bleached with hydrogen peroxide to eliminate residual discoloration and staining. The print was flattened between wool felts and cotton blotters.
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Robert Havell (after John James Audubon) - "Louisiana Heron"
Before
After
Color lithograph, c. 1840 (detail)
In addition to being generally discolored, this print had been in a flood and suffered from multi-colored mold growth. The print was washed in an alkaline bath to neutralize acidity and reduce discoloration and then bleached overall with hydrogen peroxide to further reduce discoloration and staining. Remaining mold stains were removed with application of hydrogen peroxide on the vacuum suction table. The print was flattened between wool felts and cotton blotters.
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Charles Schultz - "Patty"
Before
After
Pencil drawing, no date (detail)
The drawing was executed on cheap wood-pulp paper that had become acidic and discolored over time. Additionally, the Scotch tape used to attach it to an album page had yellowed and left a translucent stain in the paper. The tape and associated staining were removed with methyl ethyl ketone applied on the vacuum suction table. The drawing was washed in an alkaline bath to neutralize acidity and reduce discoloration and then bleached with hydrogen peroxide to eliminate residual discoloration. The drawing was flattened between wool felts and cotton blotters.
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G. W. Clarke - "Ice Palace - Montreal Carnival, 1899"
Before
After
Color lithograph with powdered mica, 1899
The print was badly discolored overall from light exposure as well as prolonged direct contact with the original wooden slat backing. The worst staining (the two vertical lines) was due to atmospheric pollution (primarily hydrogen sulfide) entering between the wooden slats. The print was washed in an alkaline bath to neutralize acidity and reduce discoloration and then bleached overall with hydrogen peroxide to further reduce discoloration and staining. Remaining stains were removed with application of hydrogen peroxide on the vacuum suction table. The print was flattened between wool felts and cotton blotters.
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Pablo Picasso - "Le Repas Frugal"
Before
After
Etching, 1904
The print was extremely acidic and discolored due to light exposure and contact with non-archival framing materials and had numerous scratches from broken glass. The print was washed in an alkaline bath to neutralize acidity and reduce discoloration and then bleached with hydrogen peroxide to restore the original paper tone. Scratches and abrasions were inpainted with watercolors.
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William Edgar Marshall - "Abraham Lincoln"
Before
After
Engraving, 1866
The print suffered from overall discoloration due to light exposure and non-archival framing materials and was stored on its left side in a basement which flooded. The print was washed in an alkaline bath to neutralize acidity and reduce discoloration and then bleached with hydrogen peroxide to restore the original paper tone.
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Lincoln Assassination Wanted Poster
Before
After
Handbill, 1865
In addition to overall discoloration, the handbill had gotten wet causing uneven movement of discoloration within the paper. The handbill was washed in an alkaline bath to neutralize acidity and reduce discoloration and then bleached with hydrogen peroxide to restore the original paper tone. Tears were repaired on the verso with Japanese paper and wheat starch paste. Pigment losses were toned with watercolor.
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Roy Lichtenstein - "Untitled"
Before
After
Graphite and colored pencils, Undated
This drawing was badly stained with coffee. The sensitivity of the colored pencils prevented overall treatment. The staining was treated locally with hydrogen peroxide on the vacuum suction table.
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Rubens - "Engraving"
Before
After
Engraving, 19th C.
In addition to overall discoloration, the print was severely foxed. The print was washed in an alkaline bath to neutralize acidity and reduce discoloration and foxing. It was then bleached with hydrogen peroxide to restore the original paper tone.
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Pablo Picasso - "Les Saltimbanques"
Before
After
Lithograph, 1958
The drawing was extremely acidic and discolored due to light exposure and contact with non-archival framing materials. Masking tape was removed from the edges verso with methyl ethyl ketone on the vacuum suction table. The print was washed in an alkaline bath to neutralize acidity and reduce discoloration and then bleached with hydrogen peroxide to restore the original paper tone.
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Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec - "L'Artisan Moderne"
Before
After
Lithograph, 1896
The lithograph had been mounted to canvas and was severely discolored from light exposure. The canvas backing was removed with an alpha-amylase enzyme solution. The lithograph was washed in an alkaline bath to neutralize acidity and reduce discoloration and then bleached with hydrogen peroxide to restore the original paper tone. It was then lined with Japanese paper and wheat starch paste. Losses were filled with similar paper and toned with watercolors.
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New York Times Page (Detail)
Before
After
Newsprint, mid 20th C.
Scotch tape residue was removed with methyl ethyl ketone on the vacuum suction table.
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Pencil Portrait on Gray Paper
Before
After
Pencil drawing, 1889
The drawing was extremely acidic and discolored due to light exposure and contact with non-archival framing materials. It was washed in a bath of alkaline water to neutralize acidity and reduce discoloration and then bleached with hydrogen peroxide to restore the original paper tone. Areas of pigment loss were toned with watercolor and graphite.
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20th Century Portrait
Before
After
Pencil and pastel, 20th C.
In addition to the horizontal tear, there were disfiguring adhesive stains in the top third of the drawing. The brown spots were bleached with hydrogen peroxide on the vacuum suction table. The tear was repaired on the verso with Japanese paper and wheat starch paste.
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Pen and Ink Drawing of a Horse, China
Before
After
Pen and ink, early 19th C.
The drawing was extremely acidic and discolored due to light exposure and contact with non-archival framing materials. It was washed in a bath of alkaline water to neutralize acidity and reduce discoloration and then bleached with hydrogen peroxide to restore the original paper tone.
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Alberto Giacometti - "Poémes des deux années"
Before
After
Etching, 1953-1954
The etching was extremely acidic, discolored, and mat-burned due to light exposure and contact with non-archival framing materials. It was washed in a bath of alkaline water to neutralize acidity and reduce discoloration and then bleached with hydrogen peroxide to restore the original paper tone.
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Sunflowers
Before
After
Color etching, mid 20th C.
The print was discolored overall and suffered water damage when a pipe burst. It was washed in a bath of alkaline water to neutralize acidity and reduce discoloration and then bleached with hydrogen peroxide to eliminate the staining and restore the original paper tone.
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Martín Ramírez - "Untitled"
Before
After
Graphite and gouache, c. 1962
The drawing was stored for many years in a garage and was attacked by rodents, resulting in abrasions, tears, and losses in the edges. Tears were repaired on the verso with Japanese paper and wheat statch paste. The losses were filled with similar paper. Pigment losses were inpainted with graphite and gouache.
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Indian Miniature Painting
Before
After
Miniature painting, 18th C.
The detached corner was readhered with Japanese paper and wheat starch paste applied on the verso. Areas of pigment loss were inpainted with watercolor.
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Indian Miniature Painting
Before
After
Miniature painting, c. 18th C.
Significant losses in the left edge were filled with similar handmade Indian paper and toned with watercolor and gouache.
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Marc Chagall - "Bienheureux Epoux"
Before
After
Color lithograph, 1967
The lithograph was extremely acidic, discolored, and mat-burned due to light exposure and contact with non-archival framing materials. It was washed in a bath of alkaline water to neutralize acidity and reduce discoloration and then bleached with hydrogen peroxide to restore the original paper tone.
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"The Parson's Hobby"
Before
After
Hand-colored etching, mid-19th C.
The etching was extremely acidic and discolored due to light exposure and contact with non-archival framing materials but could not be treated overall due to the water-solubility of the pigments. The edges and dialogue balloons were bleached on the vacuum suction table using hydrogen peroxide applied with a brush.
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Beethoven's Home, Austria
Before
After
Color etching, early 20th C.
The etching was extremely acidic, discolored, and mat-burned due to light exposure and contact with non-archival framing materials. It was washed in a bath of alkaline water to neutralize acidity and reduce discoloration and then bleached with hydrogen peroxide to restore the original paper tone.
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Japanese Woodblock Print
Before
After
Woodblock print, 19th C.
The print was severely discolored and water-damaged with numerous paper losses in the center and edges. The print was washed in an alkaline bath to neutralize acidity and reduce discoloration and then bleached with hydrogen peroxide to restore the original paper tone. It was lined with Japanese paper and wheat starch paste. Losses were filled with similar paper and toned with watercolors.
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Indian Miniature
Before
After
Miniature painting, 19th C.
Disfiguring areas in the sky and edges are due to exposure to atmospheric hydrogen sulphide, converting lead white pigment (lead carbonate) to black (lead sulphide). Hydrogen peroxide was applied on the vacuum suction table to convert the lead sulphide to lead sulphate.
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Nancy Whitlaw - "Pencil Portrait"
Before
After
Pencil drawing, 1896
The edges of the drawing were severely discolored from contact with acidic materials. Additionally, there were dark stains at top center and the bottom left corner was missing. The drawing was washed in an alkaline bath to neutralize acidity and reduce discoloration and then bleached with hydrogen peroxide to restore the original paper tone. Remaining areas of staining were bleached locally on the vacuum suction table. The bottom left corner was filled with similar paper and toned with watercolors.