Conservation Updates
Welcome to our news page. Here we periodically share updates from our restoration studio: projects we are working on, remarkable discoveries, and insights from the profession. Check back regularly for the latest news on restoration and conservation.
YELLOWED VARNISH – November 2025
Family H. living in Amsterdam, came on 7 november 2025, to my atelier, with a small panel, Oil-paint on oak.
Artist : Cornelis Johannes van de Aa. Artist and art-dealer (1883-1950 ). Living then at Almelo, Netherland.
The panel, 11x 16 cm, has a significant Yellowish varnish.
Me, as the restorer, I do not decided quickly , to remove a varnish.
It is namely always a light attack of the authentic paint-layer. So when the representation is still enough “visible”, I acccept the light yellow vanish, as part of the years. In this case, a sea-representation, the true colors of the sky and the water, (as it was meant by the artist) , is from great importance. Thus after, consultation with the owners, it was decided to remove the varnish.
After removing the vanish, the panel has varnished again with fresh dammar varnish ,mixed with 2% tinuvin.
De cost of this restoration came at price of : € 250,= ( excl. Vat)
Photo 1: Before restoration – the yellowed varnish clearly visible.
