In our last post we discussed the process of testing to identify the most appropriate cleaning solution to remove the surface dirt layer from the painting.

After finding the best cleaning solution for the painting the surface cleaning can begin, but we always carefully monitor our progress to ensure that the cleaning solution is working effectively without any adverse effects for the painting.

We generally begin in the lighter areas of the composition, because we can see the progress best in these areas and it allows us to get a feel for the action of our cleaning solution.  We hand-roll cotton wool swabs on bamboo sticks and slightly dampen the swabs with the cleaning solution.  The damp swabs are rolled across the surface of the painting and the dirt is lifted and removed from the surface.  We stop rolling the swab once it appears dirty.  We don’t want to roll the dirty swab across the surface because the particles which collect on the swab may be abrasive.  Because this painting is so dirty we had to change our swabs quite regularly!

Here are some nice photos to show you the progress of the surface clean.  You can see the difference that removing this layer has on the colours, tone and depth in the painting.

There has been a significant change in the appearance of the painting and Poedua is looking much better already!  The removal of the surface dirt layer has revealed the varnish layer beneath it.  The varnish is yellow, discoloured and uneven.  The next stage of the treatment is to remove this varnish layer.  This is the most complicated stage of the treatment.