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Hirst Conservation undertakes the recording, analysis
and the conservation of wallpaintings from the Middle
Ages to the 19th Century, in various techniques from
‘true frescos’ to oil paintings executed on plaster. The
dedicated team includes conservators who specialise in
the treatment of wallpaintings who are trained to
post-graduate level. The
services offered for the treatment of wallpaintings
include:
- Comprehensive condition surveys including
photographic and diagrammatic recording. This
includes assessment of previous treatment
documentation and archival records.
- Analysis of the fabric to inform and facilitate
treatments. This includes the measurement of
moisture levels within the stonework using a none
invasive capacitance meter. In buildings this may be
used in conjunction with a carbide meter.
- Discrete sampling of the plasterwork in areas of
paint loss for later determination of its soluble
salt content, hygroscopicity as well as the
aggregates and binder of the plaster.
- Environmental recording, using an electronic
hygrometer, of relative humidity, absolute humidity
(vapour pressure), temperature and dew points inside
and outside on the day of the investigation, or for
continuous monitoring of these parameters for
relevant periods using environmental dataloggers.
These results and the relationship between internal
and external conditions of the building will have
important bearing on the stability of the
wallpainting.
Treatments to the
substrate include:
- Structural consolidation of areas showing
granular disintegration.
- Consolidation of flaking, scaling and
delamination between plaster layers by grouting and
filleting.
- Mortar repairs to losses within the plaster and
to fractures
Treatments to the paint
layers:
- Consolidation of flaking and/or powdering paint
layers.
- Removal of surface coatings including dirt,
overpaint and inappropriate retouching.
- Sympathetic retouching of losses using various
techniques and materials including pastels,
watercolours and dry pigments ground in stable and
reversible synthetic resins.
For further information on the analysis of materials
and paint research please see the separate
specialism headings.
Some of our projects include:
- St Mary the Virgin Church, Studley Royal
Church - Conservation of 13th century wall
painting. Removal of distemper from interior walls
followed by limewash application.
- All Saints Church, Cambridge -
Conservation of 19th century wall painting.
- Saracen’s Head, Southwell - Conservation
of 17th century wall paintings.
- St Peter’s Church, Clayworth -
Conservation of wall paintings by Phoebe Traquair
and creation of new scheme of frescoes.
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