Albert Bierstadt’s A Storm in the Rocky Mountains, Mt. Rosalie (1866) last underwent a ma
Albert Bierstadt’s A Storm in the Rocky Mountains, Mt. Rosalie (1866) last underwent a major treatment in 1975 (before treatment conservation photos above), shortly after its rediscovery and before it entered the BKM collection. When the painting was rediscovered, it was in a fragile state of repair. The surface was obscured by several layers of grime and darkened varnish, the canvas was sagging, and there were several small tears.Texas-based conservator Perry Huston stabilized the painting through a lengthy process that involved removing the canvas from its original stretcher support and adhering two new layers of canvas to the reverse for strength using wax (called a lining treatment). The painting originally had a collapsible stretcher, which was designed to fold in half for ease of transport. The canvas would have been removed from the stretcher and transported separately on a roll as is sometimes done with oversized paintings today. Unfortunately the original stretcher was in poor condition with several splits and breaks in the wood. It was replaced during the 1975 treatment with a new expansion bolt stretcher.The painting was carefully cleaned to remove the discolored varnish layers and then re-varnished using a stable, conservation-grade resin. This treatment has held up nicely—the varnish remains clear and continues to saturate paint.Be sure to stop by the rotunda now through July 15th to see our painting conservators treat this masterpiece, live in the galleries. If you’re unable to make it to Brooklyn, check back for here for more updates on the project.Posted by Lauren Bradley -- source link
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