The History of Oil Painting Restoration

Much like portrait painting itself, the history of art restoration dates back centuries. As early as the 16th Century, the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel underwent restoration following water damage. Today, restorers enjoy superior education as to how to retain pristine conditions in glorious masterworks, as well as greater technology. As a result, art restoration in the UK is a booming business.

Art can be damaged for any number of reasons, whether by accident or design. All major art galleries now employ dedicated art restoration specialists. Take a stroll around any significant museum and, behind the scenes, there will be several accredited restorers ensuring that exhibits retain their sense of awe. Simon Gillespie is no exception. In addition to displaying work, we work tirelessly on oil painting restoration in our London gallery.

Art restoration in the UK and beyond rose to prominence in the earliest days of the 19th Century. By this period in history, works created by the Masters were beginning to lose their splendour. Restorers applied wood ash to these works, then washed it off with water. Alas, this created a harsh, alkaline solution that often did more harm than good.

Fats forward to the 1920s, however, and art restoration began to adopt a more scientific approach. The Fogg Art Museum of Harvard, under the guidance of celebrated art historian Edward W. Forbes, instigated more profound research into the process of art restoration. The new techniques included x-raying a canvas to pinpoint any necessary adjustments.

Of course, these new techniques for painting restoration soon reached London and the rest of the UK. Another step forward arose in the mid-1970s when education improved once more. Art restoration in the UK will now typically entail infrared imaging to locate any discoloured or damaged paint. 

Armed with the appropriate information, an accredited art restorer can begin the process of painstakingly reviving a canvas. Often, this involves applying a fresh layer of varnish to separate layers of paint, then reapplying the colour. Whether this will precisely match the shades and hues of the original work or stand out with renewed brightness is a matter of preference.  

If you need oil painting restoration in London, Simon Gillespie is waiting to hear from you. Our experienced and dedicated team of accredited art restorers can return any artwork to its former glory. Better yet, we can take protective measures to prolong the lifespan of an oil painting. Art restoration in the UK is our business, and at Simon Gillespie, we take exceptional pride in our work.

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Created on Jun 3rd 2021 01:35. Viewed 182 times.

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