Researcher(s)
- Madison Griffin, Art Conservation, University of Delaware
Faculty Mentor(s)
- Joyce Hill Stoner, Art Conservation, University of Delaware
Abstract
This project focuses on the treatment of Le Sorelle or “The Sisters”, an Italian painting by Luciano Spazzali from 1957. The surface of the painting had both structural and aesthetic problems with extreme flaking from both the Masonite support and between paint layers, as well as significant losses obstructing the image. I began the treatment back in the fall of 2024 and have been working towards completing it for the past two semesters. My summer project dealt with completing the final areas of consolidation, removing excess adhesive, filling the stabilized losses, and then inpainting the filled areas to reestablish aesthetic cohesion. My presentation will go into depth on the techniques, materials, and processes involved in each of the steps of the treatment and discuss setbacks I faced and how I overcame them. I will talk about the setup and use of humidification packets in setting down lifting paint, as well as adhesives I used in re-adhering the paint to the Masonite support, such as BEVA-371 and Aquasol. I will also talk about the choice to use PVA paints to inpaint as opposed to Gamblin because of its reversibility factor. I will show before and after photos of the treatment to depict the drastic change in the legibility of the painting, proving the importance of restoration work such as this.