Julieta Herrera Conservation

Introduction

This Rococo frame, belonging to The Quakers in Britain, was treated at my studio. It is a pine frame decorated with an oil-gilded scheme and an ormolu layer applied over the gold. The ornaments are made of composition material. The ogee section has netting applied over the gesso layer.

Condition Before Treatment

The slip frame was unstable and mobile, secured to the frame with blocks and corroded nails, with the top blocks missing. A uniform layer of surface soiling was present across the entire frame. The back edge showed losses to the gesso layer, and there were minor areas of flaking within the gesso. There were multiple losses to the decorative composition ornaments; however, one detached fragment was available and could be reattached. The canvas extended beyond the back of the frame and was held in place with corroded nails. The D-rings appeared unstable and corroded.

Treatment

The client decided not to replace the missing composition elements. New pine wood blocks were added to the top member, and the existing ones were packed with balsa wood between the block and the slip frame; all blocks were secured to the slip frame with nails. Loose fragments were re-adhered using pearl glue. Dry cleaning was carried out using a soft brush and a vacuum cleaner, followed by cleaning of the oil-gilt surface with white spirit. Gesso putty was used to fill losses on the back edge and was subsequently retouched with acrylic paints. Flaking gesso areas were consolidated using rabbit skin glue. The framing was upgraded to a conservation-grade system by adding blocks, brass fittings, spacers, brown and felt tape, and Melinex to protect the back of the painting. The D-rings were replaced with stainless steel fittings.