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
• Summary of main findings

Exposure of 1956 cleaning test

The lower varnish layer revealed after the removal of the upper varnish layer. In the centre is a patch that was cleaned for tests in 1956.

Removal of the upper varnish layer also revealed the cleaning tests made in 1956 and showed the level of discolouration of the lower varnish along with numerous darkened spots of overpaint.

When the exploratory cleaning tests were made 1956, the painting was considered to have been so ‘badly cleaned at some past time’ that varnish removal would not be prudent, so they were photographed and then completely concealed.

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