Work on Art Papers

Morpeth Conservation Studio has 20 years professional experience in Art Conservation and Restoration.

MORPETH CONSERVATION STUDIO PROVIDES A FULL RANGE OF CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION SERVICES FOR ARTWORKS ON PAPER.

The Restoration Process

Upon receiving a work that needs restoring, we examine the work, making note of the signature to identify the artist. Trained as an art historian, we are aware of the style of that period, the painting technique, and the materials available to an artist of that time. This knowledge help us identify the pigments and fabrics that were popular and available to the artist which help us determine the best approach for the restoration. We often remove the frame and look under the “tacking” edge (a thin area hidden beneath the edge of the frame) to uncover pigments that are light and clear. This helps us see the true color scheme.

BEFORE

  • Fragile discoloured paper, stained and mouldy.
  • Paper now high in acidity.
  • Unpresentable as a work of Art

AFTER

  • Discolouration gone. Stains and mould gone
  • Acidity removed from paper.
  • Highly presentable as a work of Art.

Conservation encompasses actions taken toward the long-term preservation of cultural property. Unstable conditions occur in a painting such as tears, flaking paint and cracks. Conservation activities include the following explicit functions:

Examination is a procedure to determine the nature, method of manufacture or properties of objects, and the causes of their deterioration.
Documentation procedures record the condition of an object before, during, and after treatment, and outline in detail treatment methods and materials used.
Preventive Conservation is action taken to minimize further deterioration. This process includes the stabilization of the environment surrounding an artifact by methods which minimize the effects of agents of deterioration.
Treatment includes the stabilization of the condition of a work of art or artifact to retard or stop deterioration processes. Treatment may also include restoration.

Restoration is an attempt to bring cultural property closer to its original appearance or its appearance at a particular period in time.

BEFORE

  • Acidic, discoloured paper support.
  • Damaged delaminating photograph.
  • In state of degradation.
  • Unsuitable for exhibition.

AFTER

  • Support treated separately after removal of photograph.
  • Support washed in alkaline solution to de-acidify prior to cleaning.
  • Photograph repaired and flattened.
  • Stable artefact.
  • Now suitable for exhibition.

Morpeth conservation professionals which coordinates and advances knowledge and improved methods of conservation needed to protect, preserve, and maintain the condition and integrity of cultural property which because of their history, significance, rarity, or workmanship have a commonly accepted value and importance for the public interest. The organization maintains a code of ethics and standards of practice which safeguard the preservation of the intrinsic character of the object.

All treatments are conducted with the best conservation practice, and primary decisions made for the long-term preservation of the ART.

  • repairing discoloured and moulding works,
  • treatment of damaged paper,
  • the preservation of fragile or damaged works,
  • removing works from old framing situations,
  • removing old mounts,
  • treating acidity,
  • and conservation framing of the treated paper for prolonged future preservation..

Morpeth Conservation Studio is located in Morpeth NSW, 30 minutes from Newcastle and 2 hours from Sydney.

So remember that if you have a need for conservation or restoration of an ART Work then please contact Duncanby phone on 0249341471 or 0414894289 or by email at duncan@morpethconservation.com