Closed Now:
Become a Member
Your Cart
Death of Sophonisbe, 1787
Jean Charles Nicaise Perrin (French, 1754–1831)
Pen and brush and black ink, brush and brown ink, and gouache on paper mounted on board
Gift of the Charter Collectors 1976.17.2
ADOPTED
This drawing—a study for a painting in a French museum—was damaged long ago, before someone tried to help by gluing it onto a board to secure tears and provide extra support. Over time, the surface of the drawing has been abraded, resulting in numerous losses of the fragile water-based paint overall. In areas, the white paint is also beginning to turn gray, likely corrosion of the lead-white pigment. The goal of conservation will be to stabilize the drawing and improve its visual appearance. The paper will be glued down again where it’s starting to separate from the support, and old, discolored adhesive will be mechanically reduced with a scalpel. Major losses and abrasions will be judiciously retouched with colored pencils to improve the overall appearance.
