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FRAME FOR THE PORTRAIT OF

GEORGE BENNION BY ELLIS ROBERTS

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1. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

1. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

Comparison - before and after conservation treatment

1. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

1. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

Photo before conservation.

2. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

2. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

Detail showing the gap between the main frame and the slip frame housing to the top and the right-hand side of the frame.

3. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

3. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

Structural repairs to the slip frame housing by gluing and clamping up and the use of new glue blocks.

4. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

4. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

Detail of the clamping method employed to exert pressure whilst the adhesive cured.

5. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

5. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

Securing sections of applied composition (compo) ornamentation.

6. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

6. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

Effective wet cleaning in progress.

7. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

7. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

Silicone moulds were used so that missing sections of compo ornamentation could be replicated.

8. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

8. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

The pierced ‘swept’ compo mouldings to the corners and centres of the frame were reinforced with stainless steel armatures.

9. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

9. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

New compo castings, trimmed and fitted.

10. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

10. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

Compo repairs.

11. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

11. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

More compo repairs.

12. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

12. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

Gesso repairs.

13. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

13. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

Yellow and pinky-red bole applied to the repairs in preparation for gilding. Photographed before the bole was burnished.

14. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

14. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

Oil and water gilding to the repairs and areas to be re-gilded.

15. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

15. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

Frame after conservation treatment.

16. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

16. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

Detail of the conserved frame, following distressing and toning of the new gilding and retouching small areas of gesso losses.

17. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

17. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

Detail of the conserved frame to the top right corner.

18. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

18. Portrait of George Bennion Frame

Detail of the conserved frame to the top frame member.

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