Department Chair

Patrick Ravines

Date of Award

9-2020

Access Control

Open Access

Degree Name

Art Conservation, M.A., C.A.S.

Department

Art Conservation Department

Advisor

Fiona Beckett

Advisor

Patrick Ravines

Department Home page

https://artconservation.buffalostate.edu/program

First Reader

Dr. Aaron Shugar

Second Reader

Jiuan Jiuan Chen

Third Reader

Dr. Rebecca Ploeger

Abstract

Technical analysis and conservation treatment were conducted on an oil on canvas Portrait of Madonna by an unknown artist. Both non-invasive analysis and invasive analysis including sampling was carried out to assist in the interpretation of artist technique and identify materials present. The primary goal of this project was to determine a suitable treatment protocol and provide an indication of artists materials used. The materials identification helped inform the treatment during treatment, specifically during varnish reduction and blanching mitigation. While the painting had several condition issues, extensive blanching was analyzed in more detail. Imaging and analytical techniques included ultraviolet and infrared imaging, radiography, Confocal Microscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy, and cross-sectional analysis. Key findings include the discovery of painted canvas inserts for loss compensation during a previous restoration and the blue pigments beneath the green overpaint in the robes of the sitter. The established treatment protocol was successful, and the painting showed improvement both structurally and aesthetically.

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