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Conservation of Gainsborough's 'Viscountess Folkestone'

Introduction
History of the painting
Condition before treatment
Removal of upper varnish
Exposure of 1956 cleaning test
Solvent tests
Removal of older varnish
During cleaning
The painting before retouching
Analysis of materials and techniques
Summary of main findings

Sudley House collection

Accession number WAG 229

painting of an old lady in a white dress with fabric draped across her shoulders, leaning on a column with green curtains behind her
The painting after conservation. Zoom into the detail of this painting.

The recent conservation treatment of Gainsborough's 'Viscountess Folkestone' during the refurbishment of Sudley House provided an ideal opportunity to examine the materials and technique of this remarkable portrait. As well as identifying pigments and paint medium our study has revealed a radical change to the composition, altering not only the position of the sitter but also the setting.

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