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Watch 200 Years of Varnish Stripped From a 17th Century Painting
Art historian, dealer, and BBC television host Philip Mould recently posted a video to his Twitter that reveals a gleaming 17th century painting hiding underneath two centuries of yellowed varnish. The protective finish is applied to protect paintings from wear, but over time will begin to discolor. In the short video Mould gently paints a solvent to remove this layer from the work’s surface, slowly brushing it away in circular strokes.
A remarkable Jacobean re-emergence after 200 years of yellowing varnish ½ pic.twitter.com/yBGNGDcNd7
— Philip Mould (@philipmould) November 6, 2017
The only details known about the mysterious lady in red is from an inscription on the painting that notes she was 36 when the work was completed in 1618. You can watch Mould remove the last bits of varnish from the subject’s face in the short clip below, and follow more of his painting adventures on Twitter. (via Twisted Sifter)
A last smear from the chin removed. I will post an image of the completed picture as soon as it is ready. pic.twitter.com/K7TSl2XdqE
— Philip Mould (@philipmould) November 6, 2017
http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2017/11/watch-200-years-of-varnish-stripped-from-a-17th-century-painting/