Major Treatment (University of Melbourne)
Completed in fulfilment of University of Melbourne's Master of Cultural Materials Conservation. Managed an intensive treatment of a 1788 line engraving by William Sharp - from technical examination of the work through to backing removal, stain reduction, stabilisation and remounting for future display.
Before and After Treatment
What was the goal the project set out to achieve?
Stabilise and prepare work for exhibition in the University of Melbourne's Medical History Museum.
What did I do?
The project utilised the use of gels to aid to release the work from its acidic backing, full immersion of the work using a Wolbers C solution to reduce significant mat window burn staining and the preservation of a collector's stamp on the verso of the work.
What was the outcome?
The work was safely removed from its acidic backing (a 40 hr + process) and staining was reduced successfully. The work was remounted in a window mount made of archival quality materials in preparation for framing.
What did I learn?
The project taught me the importance of forward planning and research to identify the most appropriate treatment for the work (taking into account its significance, value and materiality). I enjoyed trialling different stain reduction methods, washing solutions and backing removal techniques before implementing the treatment. Working with rigid gels to aid in the release of the acidic backing was also a highlight and a valuable learning experience. Finally, adjusting my practice in response to the discovery of a collector's stamp (which provided significant information regarding provenance) taught me to be flexible, take pause and revise my approach as necessary.
'Slippery gels and backing removal hell'.