Conserving Hamilton “Buzz” Ware’s Untitled (Germanic Village Scene): Treatment of a Historic Mural at Green Gate

• Ava Jimenez, Art Conservation, University of Delaware
• Lina Portnoy, Art Conservation, University of Delaware
• Emma El-Khouri, Art Conservation, University of Delaware

• Brian Baade, Art Conservation, University of Delaware

Hamilton “Buzz” Ware’s Untitled (Germanic Village Scene), painted around 1909- 1910 when he was 17 years old for the Green Gate house in Arden, Delaware, had accumulated surface grime, localized staining due to water and smoke damage, losses, and structural damage that disrupted both the stability and legibility of the mural. This project focused on documenting and treating these issues while preserving as much original material and image as possible per a conservator’s ethical guidelines. Treatment began with dry surface cleaning using sponges, followed by aqueous cleaning tests to determine if an appropriate method could be used to reduce more persistent grime without affecting the original painted surface. Aqueous tests were determined to be damaging to the mural, then areas of loss and cracking were filled and leveled using reversible fill materials applied with palette knives and syringes, allowing even fills that better fit the varied dimensions of each area of damage. Because the mural spans multiple substrates and exhibits different forms of deterioration, treatment methods were therefore adapted to the needs of each section rather than following a single streamlined approach. Retouching was limited to areas of loss, with additional general toning used to reduce localized staining and restore the intended visual effect while maintaining as much of the original painted surface as possible. Color matching required repeated adjustment throughout treatment, as mixtures often dried lighter and cooler than expected. Warmer, more muted palettes and localized modifications produced a more seamless effect across the mural. The project demonstrates the importance of material testing, careful observation, and flexible treatment strategies when conserving large architectural paintings with varied substrates and condition issues.