Altarpiece
Category: Furniture
Introduction
This altarpiece, belonging to a private collector, was produced by the Arundel Society, whose purpose was to promote knowledge of the artworks of old Italian, Flemish, and other European masters. The artwork is based on Hans Memling’s (c.1430–1494) The Lübeck Altarpiece and includes a scene of the Crucifixion, as well as additional panels depicting St Blaise, St John the Baptist, St Jerome, and St Egidius. The two front panels feature The Angel of the Annunciation and The Madonna, reproduced as lithographs.
Condition Before Treatment
The altarpiece exhibited several structural and decorative issues. There was timber loss at the proper right bottom area of the plinth, where corroded nails were also visible, and the brass door hinges were corroded. The lacquered decorative scheme had losses, especially at the base and corners, and some areas were flaking. Cracking was evident due to light exposure, and the surface showed ingrained dirt and paint stains. Water-gilded sections revealed exposed bole, particularly on the bottom member of the central image and the lower part of the plinth. The image levels appeared dirty and discoloured, and the glazing covering the prints showed surface dirt.
Treatment
The missing fragment on the plinth was replaced with pine wood and adhered using an epoxy resin, following the application of a pre-layer of hide glue to ensure the treatment remained reversible. The hinges were mechanically cleaned with a stiff brush. Gesso losses were filled with gesso putty. Gilding was completed using 23.5ct loose gold leaf , and the toning was achieved using watercolours and acrylic paints. Consolidation of the flaking decoration was carried out with rabbit skin glue. The front and back of the altarpiece were cleaned using a soft brush to remove surface soiling, followed by cotton swabs moistened with white spirit. The labels were similarly cleaned with white spirit and in-painted with watercolours to visually integrate them. The glazing was cleaned with methylated spirit, and the hanging fittings were replaced with new brass mirror plates.
Image Gallery
