Graphic Art Restoration
The restoration of works on paper covers a wide range of documents, all sharing the common support of paper.
Most of these works are flat documents using varied techniques: drawing, watercolor, gouache, pastel, ink, etching, lithography, and more.
Cleaning, detachment, disinfection, deacidification, dry or wet cleaning, backing, flattening, tear repair, and gap filling—all these operations aim to restore the physical and aesthetic integrity of works on paper.
Paper: A Fragile Support
Many damages to these works are often caused by poor-quality framing: using acidic board, employing various invasive and harmful methods of attaching the work to its backing board, placing glass directly on the document, or storing it in inappropriate conditions (humid cellar or direct sunlight).
The most common deteriorations include overall or localized oxidation (foxing), tears, losses, folds, warping, moisture stains, and mold. Some polychrome works may show fading and weakening of colors.
These alterations are often caused by prolonged exposure to light and are unfortunately irreversible. The effects of sunlight (direct or indirect) and fluorescent lighting are harmful to these fragile works. This chemical deterioration can not only alter colors but also weaken the paper.
