Tofte Manor

Artist: J Lester
Media: Oil on Canvas
Date: 2001

Condition.

Severely damaged in a fire, the artwork was covered in blisters and soot.  

Whilst the painting appeared to be dramatically damaged, tests showed that the varnish layer had acted as a barrier to protect the paint layer from the heat. This was particularly important as being painted in 2001, the paint layer was quite fresh and more vulnerable to cleaning than an older fully hardened paint.

Treatment.

Despite its young age and sensitivity, the blisters were laid flat and a method of cleaning was devised to carefully remove the varnish and soot to uncover the original colours. Although some of the paint was permanently damaged, with a fresh varnish and some sympathetic retouching, it was possible to restore the painting and make it look complete.

Courtesy of Plowden & Smith