James Edward Hervey Macdonald (1873-1932): Winter scene

Oil on paper board, 20.3 x 25.4 cm

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This case was one of those bizarre things one hopes never to see again. This lovely painting by J. E. H. Macdonald was brought in for restoration in two pieces. A Montreal framing establishment attempted to 'transfer' the paint layer from this panel to a new support presumably due to the damage to the panel. A 'facing' of newspaper was applied to protect the paint layer but the inappropriate strength of the glue and the shrinkage of the paper literally tore away large portions of the painting from the board it was painted on. The challenge was to reset the ripped off paint glued to the newsprint back to the panel and then carry out  the transfer onto a new support properly. Only then could the painting be cleaned and varnished.