This still life painting, depicting a selection of fruit arranged on white damask tablecloth, had become altered over time, with areas of overpainting added sometime after the Second World War. After conservation the painting appeared clearer and more balanced, with the original colours and details.
The risks of cleaning oil paintings at home without professional guidance
Professional cleaning begins with a careful examination of the painting’s surface and canvas, followed by testing and thorough assessment. Over decades, dust, nicotine, and airborne particles can accumulate within the fibres of the canvas, forming a greasy, discoloured surface layer that obscures the original appearance of the painting. Cleaning an…