CONSERVATION OF THE ICON "SAINT ALEXANDER NEVSKY" FROM THE PREVIOUSLY ABANDONED ORTHODOX CHURCH OF ALEXANDER NEVSKY CHAPEL (PUDINAVAS VILLAGE, LATVIA)
Year:
Anno 2017/2018
Category:
Conservation
Ieva Rozentale, Art Academy of Latvia (rozentaleieva@inbox.lv)
Objects Name: icon Alexander Nevsky
Author: Unknown
Date. The middle of the 19.century
Owner: Mihailova Orthodox Church
Technique: Canvas / oil
Dimensions: 70X120cm
In 2013 the icon The icon of Alexander Yaroslavich Nevsky was moved to the Art Academy of Latvia restoration department.
Due to dampness, the surface layer is almost lost. Canvas at the bottom of the painting was very damaged and some parts were lost, fissured and the canvas deformed – about 8 cm. Paint and primer layer were 70% lost. Canvas frame was also fractured.
Painting was removed from the frame, disinfected, dusted and sandwiched on the adjustable belt system frame.
Color layer adhered, while eliminating the distortion of the canvas, drawing with canvas strips, and removing main dirt. Painting was adhere on tulle to complete the deformation. Then re-lined on new canvas. Stretched on new under frame.
Then cleaning completed, fixed holes and linen loses with a new linen insets, applied new prime layer at the lose parts. Research was done about analogies of the icon "Saint Alexander Nevsky”. At last varnished and retouched very gently.
Project supported by State Culture Capital Foundation in Latvia.
