Behind the Scenes in Conservation: A chemical peel?
by Serena Urry, Chief Conservator
3/14/2024
Not quite. As paintings conservators, we may use chemicals, but we certainly don’t give facials. Instead, our chemical cleaning solutions carefully dissolve the layers of aged varnishes and dirt.
We are examining Miss Margaret Suttie by British artist Henry Raeburn (1756–1823) for the museum’s British catalog project. Old yellow varnish obscured her rosy complexion, so we decided to clean the portrait before sending it to be photographed.
Henry Raeburn (English, 1756–1823), Miss Margaret Suttie (detail), late 18th / early 19th century, oil on canvas, Gift of Mary Hanna, 1946.116
Henry Raeburn (English, 1756–1823), Miss Margaret Suttie, late 18th / early 19th century, oil on canvas, Gift of Mary Hanna, 1946.116
Henry Raeburn (English, 1756–1823), Miss Margaret Suttie, late 18th / early 19th century, oil on canvas, Gift of Mary Hanna, 1946.116
Related Blog Posts
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Toll Free: 1 (877) 472-4226
Museum Hours
Museum Shop
Terrace Café
Library
The Cincinnati Art Museum is supported by the generosity of tens of thousands of contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign, the region's primary source for arts funding.
Free general admission to the Cincinnati Art Museum is made possible by a gift from the Rosenthal Family Foundation. Exhibition pricing may vary. Parking at the Cincinnati Art Museum is free.
Generous support for our extended Thursday hours is provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.
General operating support provided by:
