Restoration & Conservation
Artwork is subject to natural processes of ageing. Paper, for instance, ages due to UV-radiation and consequently bleaches, turns brown or shows discolouring where the passe-partout covers the picture. Other frequently encountered damages are the loss of tension of the canvas, billowed or mouldy carrier materials or, in the case of furniture and sculptures, woodworm.
Modern restoration is a combination of traditional craftsmanship, chemical expertise, artistic proficiency and knowledge of art history. Certified restorers today are taught all these subjects and trained as specialists at universities and colleges.
Every restoration interprets a piece of art according to the taste of its time. In the future aesthetical preferences may change and today's not be appreciated - or new and improved techniques of restoring may well develop. As a consequence it is key that the procedures are reversible. Any restoring step taken has to be able to be undone.
The general notion is: The conservation of the work of art has the highest priority. Every conservational treatment should preserve the current condition, remove or limit existing blemishes and protect the piece from further damage. Only then may specialists attempt to undertake 'aesthetic surgery' using restoration procedures.
Guidelines for Handling Works of Art:
- Never attempt to restore pieces yourself! This should only be undertaken by specialists. Many irreparable damages have been caused by private restoration attempts – for example, rinsing oil painting with washing-up liquid or scratching off mould with a spatula.
- Take care not to expose your objects to high levels of UV-radiation. Works on paper especially discolour very quickly and/or the applied colours can disappear.
- Do not hang pictures on damp walls as they may warp, billow or start to mould.
We are a certified and registered crafts business for the maintenance of "Listed" buildings and works of art. This certification enables owners to quickly and reliably find a suitable and qualified company to take care of their historic buildings and interior contents.
Please contact us for further information.
