In this section

• Introduction
• History of the painting
• Condition before treatment
• Removal of upper varnish
• Exposure of 1956 cleaning test
• Solvent tests
• Removal of older varnish
• During cleaning
• The painting before retouching
• Analysis of materials and techniques
  • multiple paint layers
  • changes to the position of the arms
  • tree in the original background
  • landscape in the original background
  • changes to the pose of the sitter
  • upper left background paint cross section
  • upper right background paint cross section
  • colours in the curtain
  • use of greens and blues
  • orange-red pigment
• Summary of main findings

Analysis of materials and techniques used in Gainsborough's 'Viscountess Folkestone'

During the course of the conservation treatment a number of paint samples were taken from the edges of paint loss or damage in order to investigate the materials and techniques used in the painting. The paint samples were magnified by up the 400 times in order to study the different layers.

Analysis of the paint samples and x-rays of the painting revealed significant alterations to the composition.

Gallery

Follow the links below to find out more about the analysis of the painting.

 

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