Restoration of a Lady With Pearls | Removing Old Varnish & Dirt (Part 2)
Apr 19, 2026
Oil painting restoration of a 19th-century portrait, which I refer to as The Lady with Pearls Necklace.
In this second episode, the structural stabilization process is completed with the application of strip linings, reinforcing the original canvas and preparing it for further treatment.
The painting is then carefully re-stretched and aligned on its original stretching frame, which has been previously cleaned and cleared of residues from past restorations.
With the structure secured, a series of controlled solvent tests are carried out to determine the most suitable method for removing the aged varnish and accumulated surface dirt, while preserving the integrity of the original paint layer.
Following these tests, the removal of the old, yellowed varnish begins. In this stage, only half of the painting is cleaned, creating a visible contrast between the altered surface and the restored section.
This contrast reveals the extent to which the varnish has affected the appearance of the painting over time.
In the next episode, the varnish removal will be completed, followed by the retouching phase. If conditions allow, the frame will also be restored.
Eduardo Art Restorations | Oil Painting Restoration | Art Conservation Process
painting restoration, oil painting conservation, varnish removal, strip lining, canvas re-stretching, solvent tests, art restoration process, fine art conservation, old painting restoration, professional art conservator
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Follow the delicate structural stabilization and careful cleaning of this antique portrait. The process includes removing temporary supports, re-stretching the canvas on its frame, and using precise solvent testing to uncover the original colors hidden beneath layers of aged, yellowed varnish.
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Eduardo Art Restorations
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