Art Restoration - Jackdaw Gallery

---

Every work of art carries a story — layers of history, intention, and time. Our dedicated conservator specializes in art conservation, expertly uncovering and protecting that story through expert art restoration and conservation.

Our trained conservator works with paintings and works on paper spanning centuries and cultures. Using time-honoured techniques, we approach each piece with rigor and deep respect for the artist's original vision.

Whether you're a private collector, museum curator, or estate executor, we offer tailored painting restoration services to meet your specific needs. No work is too delicate, no history too fragile.

We believe that preservation is an act of reverence — for artists, for history, and for the generations who will inherit these works long after us.

We are proud to work in conjunction with Jarvis Fine Art Restoration.

Our Services Include

Surface Clean and Varnish Removal

Paintings are exposed to all sorts of environmental pollutants, whether water damage, spillage, mould exposure, or soot from a fire. Cleaning the surface allows the original painting to shine through and removes any potential contaminants. Varnish can crack, yellow, or delaminate over time. Removing the varnish and recoating provides the surface of the painting protection for future years to come.

Repair of Tears and Holes

Tears in the paintings' support are common, either through accidental damage or deterioration of the canvas itself. A linen patch repair is applied to stabilize the substrate and support the surrounding paint layers affected. The remaining disruption to the painting's surface is often then filled to create an even surface.

Re-lining

Sometimes a painting's support has become so thin and brittle over time that the whole substrate needs a new supporting layer to protect against any future deterioration.

Consolidation

Paint can begin to flake from its supporting surface for many reasons, but common examples are environmental changes such as temperature fluctuations and moisture or the poor adhesion of materials due to its application. In this case, the painting undergoes a process to secure the layers back to its original substrate, being careful not to lose any existing paint and, where applicable, re-attach areas that have become loose.

Retouching

Bringing the artwork back to its former glory, retouching involves filling in any missing areas that have been lost. This process helps to unify the artwork as a whole by replacing areas of damage to the painting, resolving the overall aesthetic, and removing and fixing any aged historical over-painting. All retouching is reversible by first applying an isolation varnish.

Loose or Rippled Paintings

Canvas can lose tension over time, leaving the painting vulnerable to further damage and deterioration.

Paper Restoration

To restore the appearance and stability of a work on paper, we offer washing, flattening, tear treatment, patch repair of missing areas, de-acidifying, bleaching, adhesive removal, and retouching losses.

Contact us for further information about our expert art restoration services. We offer a free, no-obligation service for estimates and quotations on art conservation and painting restoration services.