In a recent posting I discussed Autumn at Medway, a diminutive 1885 oil on wood-panel painting by the Fall River artist Robert Spear Dunning (1829-1905); it depicts a scene on the Charles River in Medway, Massachusetts.
Well, as promised – an update.
Last week the painting was delivered to the painting conservator for cleaning with the request that the process be documented with photographs – very important, recording any conservation work done to a picture.
As expected, the results thus far are rather dramatic, evidenced by this image.
An understatement, perhaps?
Amazing, the colors and details obscured by 131 years of discolored varnish and surface grime.
The work is being undertaken at the Boston studio of Peter Williams Museum Services; the studio has done considerable work for the FRHS in recent years, and is very well respected.
According to Peter: “We are delighted to have this amazing painting in our studio for cleaning” – nice to know that I am not the only person who considers it a little gem of a piece.
Will follow up with an image of the cleaning finis.
Great stuff!
