11 RESTORATION

Before the painting was attached to a newly constructed pine stretcher, the loose paint chips retrieved from the painting before treatment were reattached with wax-resin using a warm tacking iron. After the painting was attached, a thin, isolating layer of B-72 (10% in xylenes) was sprayed onto the surface. Minor losses were filled with a gesso of calcium carbonate in rabbit skin glue (fig. 7). The losses were inpainted with dry pigments mixed in a medium of B-72 (15% in xylenes). A final spray coating of B-72 was applied to the painting (figs. 8–9).

Fig. 7. The painting after transfer onto semi-right support. Isolating layer of B–72 and gesso fills applied to losses

Fig. 8. The painting after treatment, normal light

Fig. 9. The painting after treatment, raking light