Lake City (1963/64) von Frank Stella

Metallisches Kupfer als Pigment in der modernen Malerei – Konservierungs- und Restaurierungsproblematik

Abstract

Lake City (1963/64) by Frank Stella – Metallic Copper as a Pigment in Modern Paintings – Conservation Problems
The treatment of the damage on metallic surfaces of modern and contemporary paintings constitutes a special challenge for the paintings conservator confronted with this problem. This paper examines just one aspect using the example of the painting Lake City (1963/64) by Frank Stella. It is based on a diploma thesis written at the Cologne University of Applied Sciences in 2007. The motive for occupying myself with this painting from the collection museum kunst palast in Düsseldorf was a noticeable scratch on the monochrome metallic surface, occurred in 2005. In this context several changes of the painting’s condition were observed. This included a general brown discoloration of the paint layer as well as dark fingerprints. These phenomena can be partly attributed to oxidative and corrosive processes which cannot be reduced without endangering the paint surface. This paper presents the most important results of the technical study and a summary of the conservation treatments executed. One of the main focuses of the conservation strategy was the development of an appropriate retouching method.