Exemplarische Firnisbehandlung an zwei Gemälden Gerard Dous

mit Quellungserscheinungen an Farb- und Firnisschichten

Abstract

Exemplary Treatment of Varnish on two Paintings by Gerard Dou with Swelling Phenomena of Varnish and Paint Layers

The lack of uniformity in the condition of the 17th century Dutch paintings in the Staatliches Museum Schwerin, evident in characteristic damage like clouding, colour alteration and solvent damage, had lead to this conservation project. The possibilities of treating this collection were to be examined and executed as model studies. Two paintings by Gerard Dou were selected, whose appearance was impaired by cloudy varnish on their complete surfaces, heavy yellowing of their varnishes and inconsistent earlier retouching. Treating the varnish became necessary; however, it was aggravated by the irreversible mixing of paint layers and varnish layers, due to the effects of solvent damage. Appropriate methods were to improve the appearance of the paintings without endangering the paint layers mixed with the varnish. A uniform restoration method could not be developed for the two paintings despite their similarity of painting technique and their comparable damage. Nevertheless, an overall approach to restoring paintings with this type of damage emerged. The clouding and the yellowing of the varnish layer were reduced. Early discoloured retouchings were removed or reduced and subsequently inpainted. Finally, the aesthetic condition of both paintings was improved to a pleasing extent.