Four effective strategies for removing retouchings and overpaints

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Cremonesi - strategies for removing retouchings and overpaints

Paolo CREMONESI

Paolo Cremonesi is an independent Conservation Scientist, Chemist and Biochemist, trained also in the conservation of paintings, active in research, development and training in several European countries.

Course topic / Argomento del corso

Removing retouching layers on easel paintings is often a complex operation, due to the tenacity of aged binders and the fact that they often overflow onto the original paint as well. The complexity increases when their location is then extended in the form of overpaints that cover the entire surface, as often seen in the case of polychrome wooden sculpture. The presence of oxalates, formed by the decomposition of the original oil and protein binders, further complicates the removal.

We will discuss four strategies that can be effective in removing added layers from retouched and overpainted areas, avoiding the use of highly toxic paint removers and strippers. These will be the topics addressed: how to increase the solvent power of Ethyl Lactate; the removal of layers in the presence of oxalates; the use of rigid oil-in-water polymer emulsions; a safer use of the dipolar solvent DMSO.

Information / Informazioni

January 20th, 2023

9:00-12:15 Lecture
12:30-13:00 Question time

Registration Fee / Costo Di Iscrizione

On-line attendance price 80€. Fill out the form below to register.