The conservation effort is tremendously meticulous. Stretching a painting which is in bad shape can take many days and even weeks. This is essential before one can work on parts of the painting.

Canvas deformation, tear, and protective facing seen in raking light – before treatment.       

Same area as above, also in raking light - after removal of facing, tear realignment, and reduction of planar deformation using localized humidification and a suction platen.

The treatment carried out in the following photos includes:

1. Localized flattening of canvas deformation using humidity and weights and a mini suction platen

2. More generalized flattening of the canvas deformation (one quarter of the painting at a time) on the MSC heated suction table.

3. Lining of the painting onto a new fabric using BEVA 371 adhesive on the heated suction table.

Detail during varnish and grime removal.
Rectangular area surrounding rooster has not yet been cleaned.

...during lining, one of four sections.

...flattening and temporary stretching- inraking light from right.

...flattening and temporary stretching - inraking light from left.

...suction table after flattening of section
furthest from the viewer.

...after lining, before infilling and inpainting.

...after lining on the heated suction table.

...after stretching, varnishing and infilling, before inpainting.