Mrs. John Tompkins (née Elvira Poe, 1788-1854), about 1810
Cephas Thompson (American, 1775-1856)
Oil on canvas
Gift of Miss Jenny L. Robbins  1945.114  

How much will it cost?  $3,000 

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The lovely Elvira needs a bit of a refresh, and we anticipate major improvement after treatment, preserving this artwork for decades to come.  

A thin layer of varnish has oxidized and discolored, giving the whole surface a yellowish cast. This dirty varnish results in poor color saturation: whites are tinged yellow, and there is no sense of volume or shape in his black suitcoat. There are general grime and dirt deposits across the surface of the painting.  

Treatment will involve removing the surface grime and discolored varnish. Cleaning tests indicate that the results will be extraordinarily dramatic. Once we have the original paint revealed, we will varnish the painting with a stable resin varnish and follow up by inpainting or filling any area of loss.  

The frame is period-appropriate and probably original to the picture. A light surface clean and review to ensure its stability will complete the conservation process.