Historic reconstruction with Renate Woudhuysen-Keller from Hamilton Kerr Institute, Cambridge, UK
Still-life, unknown dutch master , 17th century
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The proper area for reconstruction was selected and photographed. The photograph was then printed approximately 1:1 in black and white. A pre-stretched linen canvas had been glue sized and applied a red english earth ground layer, the right side had an additional thick layer of gesso. The application of two different grounds where chosen without knowledge of the color of the original ground layer. After studying the original, it was decided to use the white gesso, as this color was visible in areas of lifted paint.
All the colors used for the reconstruction were made up using pigments in lead oil and linseed oil 1:2. The pigments were mixed into the oil using a glass mortar and a glass sheet. Deadcoloring The background had been overpainted at an unknown date. The original color was visible in the transitions between the hanging cherries and leafs. Other areas were studied using magnification to decide the original dead coloring. Appropriate colors were then mixed and applied. Modeling Some adjustments to the colors were made during the reconstruction so they'd fit together. Both solid colors and lakes were used. |