Monk in Profile
Technique: Oil painting on canvas
Dimensions: 65 cm x 52 cm (approx.)
Date: 17th century
Condition of the Artwork Before Restoration
The painting was received without a stretcher, consisting only of a loose, unsupported canvas. The paint and ground layers showed areas of instability, with localized losses and flaking, requiring careful handling prior to any further treatment. The surface was covered by an extremely heavy layer of ingrained dirt and thick, discoloured varnish, significantly obscuring the original composition, tonal values, and colour. Dirt was also deeply embedded within the impasto passages, further compromising the legibility of the paint surface and the artist’s original brushwork.
Condition of the Artwork After Restoration
Layers of discoloured, brownish varnish were removed, along with the accumulated surface dirt and grime, a change clearly documented in the accompanying UV photographs below. A new stretcher was fabricated for the painting. Strip-lining was added to the canvas edges. However, as the canvas itself was found to be in good condition, no additional reinforcement was necessary, allowing the inscription on the reverse to remain visible.
Numerous areas of paint and ground loss were consolidated and filled with putty. Dirt deeply ingrained within the impasto passages was manually removed using a range of fine dental-type tools. The filled areas were retouched, and a final protective varnish layer was applied.
