There are likely to be several interventions required for any painting that you bring to an art restorer, and one of these may well be something called consolidation.
Think of consolidation as a delicate surgical procedure for your painting. Like a skilled surgeon, I carefully attend to the layers, reattaching them with precision. It’s about restoring the integrity of the artwork, layer by layer, like stitches closing up a wound.
You might ask, what does a painting in need of consolidation look like? The issues aren’t subtle – they’re right there, visible to the naked eye of any viewer, not just an art restorer: crumbling paint, losses on the surface, raised and cupping paint are all symptoms that point to consolidation as a viable treatment option.
To take it one step further, I might gently tap in various areas of the surface. If I hear a hollow or clicking sound, this can also indicate layers that have separated from each other and created a pocket of space between them. Sometimes, there’s blind cleavage – a fancy term for layers falling apart without showing it on the surface. We won’t know about this one until I start to clean – if flaking occurs when the surface is gently rubbed then an art restorer must call an immediate halt and make a plan to consolidate the loose paint.
So, what is the goal of consolidation? It’s all about bringing cohesion to materials that have decided they’ve had enough of sticking together. Let’s look a bit closer at a few reasons why.
Creative Experiments
Ah, the mysterious world of an artist’s creative genius – a place where experimentation meets the pursuit of artistic effect. Picture this: a maestro lost in the throes of creation, not always bothering with the fine print of material longevity. Sometimes, these brilliant minds throw caution to the wind, dabbling in a few artistic experiments that, well, let’s say, didn’t quite stand the test of time.
Environment
Or consider changes in environmental conditions. Your once vibrant painting, proudly displayed in a warm, dry living room, suddenly finds itself banished to the damp embrace of a basement or an attic. Unwittingly you have subjected your masterpiece to the perils of moisture and shifting temperatures. It’s like taking your artwork on an unintended adventure – one it wasn’t quite prepared for.
Physical Damage
Now, let’s talk about mechanical damage, the kind that occurs when a lively party turns a bit too lively. Imagine a bustling gathering where guests accidentally bump into the artwork, or perhaps a misguided attempt to rearrange the furniture leads to an unexpected collision. The consequences? Dents, scratches, and paint layers throwing a mini tantrum. It’s like the painting attended a mosh pit instead of an art exhibit.
Organic Damage
Microbiological or pest damage adds a touch of suspense to our tale. Your painting may have been hanging innocently on a wall, blissfully unaware of the microscopic invaders plotting their assault. Maybe it’s a case of mould finding a cosy home or pests deciding to nibble on the canvas. It’s like a covert operation against art, led by the unseen forces of nature.
Misguided Restoration
And let’s not forget the aftermath of previous restorations, a classic case of good intentions gone wrong. Perhaps a well-meaning art restorer from the past decided to use materials that weren’t quite compatible with the original artwork. They meant well, but the road to art restoration hell is often paved with unintended consequences. Your painting may well have undergone a makeover that didn’t quite go according to plan.
These are just some of the tales that may lie behind the reason your painting needs attention from a conservator. It’s not just about an artist’s wild experiments; it’s also about the journey of a painting through the twists and turns of its environment, encounters with rowdy partygoers, covert attacks by microscopic invaders, and the lingering consequences of well-intentioned but misaligned restorations.
My work will be to untangle the web of artistic misadventures, bringing cohesion to layers that have seen it all. First, I need to figure out the lay of the land. I’ll identify which layers are loose – is it a flaky ground layer or a rebellious oil paint layer? I’ll play detective, assessing how porous, strong, flexible, and heat-sensitive each layer is. It’s like creating a dating profile for paint – gotta find the perfect match for each situation.
Now, let’s talk about what’s likely to happen during the consolidation phase. Ideally, your painting will be positioned face up with a cushioning support if it’s on canvas to prevent any sagging. Why face up? Well, gravity becomes the best friend of the art restorer, helping coax those raised paint sections back into place.
Next up is the adhesive. It’s not a one-size-fits-all situation. If I’m reattaching a ground layer to canvas, it might need a different adhesive than I’d pick for an oil layer that is flaking away.
Armed with a syringe to delicately deliver adhesive between the cracks and a source of low level heat like a warmed spatula, I will painstakingly treat each affected area. As I progress I’ll gently guide any flakes of paint that have become detached back to their original positions using a wooden pick or tweezers. Once everything is in place, a little weight and a layer of non-stick film will keep things secure while the glue dries.
The process of consolidation always makes me feel more like I am working on a monument than on a two-dimensional picture. It is akin to meticulously restoring the building blocks, ensuring each layer is secured in its rightful place. It’s about preserving the physical integrity of the artwork, just like renovating a historical structure.