Robert Delaunay
Before conservation
Image before conservation shows painting blinded by surface dirt
Cleaning tests
Tests of method and intensity of cleaning
UV fluorescence shows paint without varnish layer and distribution of range of pigments
IR reflectography brings further information of creative process
State after conservation shows recovery of a very fresh tonality
Seaweed Collector, 1906, Private Collection
This painting by the important french artist Robert Delaunay comes from his early period, characterized by an expressionistic rendering and wild handling of paint. In spite of riotous colors the painting is very refined. Executed directly on a rough canvas with a thick application of oil paint, the work is now very unstable.
Despite previous restoration efforts, it required consolidation of the paint and mild cleaning of the heavily textured, pasty surface. Even a small intensity of cleaning of the blinded surface and saturation of the disturbed oil brings a satisfying shift of tonal contrasts and allows us to understand the artist’s preoccupation with paint as a vehicle of visual emotion in the painting process.