Fine Art Restoration and Conservation

Mayberry Fine Art is dedicated to fine art restoration and conservation. Their team of professionals make a wealth of restoration knowledge and experience available to the average art owner. When concerned about a damaged painting or sculpture, Mayberry Fine Art encourage clientele to bring it to the gallery or send a photo for consultation. With more than 30 years experience, their restoration clientele include museums and private art collectors alike.

Although it may appear hopeless, damaged or neglected artworks can be brought back to vibrant life with the help of a trained conservator. While some damage is merely aesthetically disturbing, many problems are progressive and will ultimately lead to the destruction of the work of art if not corrected.

The following conditions indicate a possible need for restoration/conservation:

Oil Paintings on Canvas or Panel

• Tears, scratches, punctures
• Paint loss
• Cracking and flaking
• Yellowed Varnish
• Insect Damage
• Mildew, Mold
• Soot, Grime
• Previous improper “restoration”

Watercolour & Works of Art on Paper

• Foxing
• Acid burn
• Soiling
• Yellowing, staining
• Tears, creases, holes
• Fading
• Mould, mildew
• Insect damage

Sculpture in Bronze, Ceramic and Other Media

• Breakage
• Residue
• Grime
• Improper cleaning

Remedies To The Three Most Common Art Restoration Dilemmas

Tears and Punctures (Oil and Acrylic Paintings)

Fragile canvases are prone to cracking, tears and punctures. Canvases in this condition must be relined or mounted before restoration can take place. Once stabilized, the damaged area is filled and carefully in-painted.

Yellowed Varnish (Oil Paintings)

Although, varnish and shellacs effectively protect the surface of oil paintings, exposure to light, over a period of many years, yellows most old varnishes. For this reason, old paintings appear to loose their original colour palette, becoming dull and yellowed. The trained restorer uses solvents and neutralizers to remove the yellowed surface varnish without removing the original paint below. Once clean, a modern , non-yellowing dammar varnish is applied to protect the painting for years to come.

Foxing & Yellowing (Works of Art on Paper)

Appearing as brown spots on old watercolours, prints and drawings, foxing is caused by acid within the paper itself, or by acidic backing in framed works. Exposure to sunlight causes yellowing of art papers over time. If caught in the early stages, the paper can be carefully washed, deacidified, and individual spots gently bleached by a certified professional restorer. This process can be successfully carried out on even the most fragile rice paper wood block prints.

Contact Mayberry Fine Art if you have any questions about fine art restoration or conservation.