Below is a beginning version of a Glossary, I will slowly add and define these words as time goes on for my clients and general population.. to the other conservators and those in the conservation sciences... laugh all you like...but you know damages are difficult to define. We conservators write proposals and reports so our clients can have an idea of particular areas of concern and possible treatment options. Using the written word is all nice n' good but combined with pictures my reports can be a wonderful thing. However, I find few clients seem to appreciate the great efforts and expense it takes to photograph the artwork, documenting the current condition; build a proposal by writing the words to describe the details of the condition and damages; and then import and embed the resized images into the report from a plethora of saved images, last count was about 100,000 jpegs, yes I do know, as I build my own computers. I ask my personal clients to please review through the words listed and feel free to call me to ask questions.
Newest added word:
Craquelure, or surface cracks: This word is a French term of crackle, it is very often used in conservation and is a wonderful discription of those surface crack patterns. The word "Cracks" and "blind cracks" and "paint-cracks or paint-lifting" are all slightly different than the craquelure term. A crackle or network of fine overall patterns on the surface of a painting. keep in mind it could be natural, and normally is all natural. sometimes it is in the Varnish layer, and then one has to ask which layer of varnsh, often there are more than one layer and type of varnish and different types of coatings. The craquelure is often the resulting embrittlement of the painting. but always ask which is the cause.. the sizing layer, the gesso or graound layer, the various paint layers, or the varnish layers. It often looks like a reticulated pattern, thick of those little cracks in old painting, that cover the whole surface. Oil paintings take a long time to dry, and various enviornmental conditions and humidity changes will often help cause these cracks patterns. But try to think of the painting as a living breathing constently changing organic entity, but made of inorgainc materials.
Craquelure, or surface cracks: This word is a French term of crackle, it is very often used in conservation and is a wonderful discription of those surface crack patterns. The word "Cracks" and "blind cracks" and "paint-cracks or paint-lifting" are all slightly different than the craquelure term. A crackle or network of fine overall patterns on the surface of a painting. keep in mind it could be natural, and normally is all natural. sometimes it is in the Varnish layer, and then one has to ask which layer of varnsh, often there are more than one layer and type of varnish and different types of coatings. The craquelure is often the resulting embrittlement of the painting. but always ask which is the cause.. the sizing layer, the gesso or graound layer, the various paint layers, or the varnish layers. It often looks like a reticulated pattern, thick of those little cracks in old painting, that cover the whole surface. Oil paintings take a long time to dry, and various enviornmental conditions and humidity changes will often help cause these cracks patterns. But try to think of the painting as a living breathing constently changing organic entity, but made of inorgainc materials.
Scraping
"Mitigate"
Strainer vs.. Stretcher
Stretcher vs.. Strainer
Backing Reverse Back side Verso vs.. Recto ----------Recto is the right-handed side of the page of a book, and verso the left handed side ( try not to use these as Descriptions of paintings, they should be used for books and double sided drawings out of books, such as drawings out of sketch-books. Recto vs.. Verso see above. Verso vs.. Reverse, a common issue. Face, face side vs.. recto. see the problem?
Support Support Board Support Fabric
Frame (vs.... Back Strainer)
Liner ( for a frame liner vs..... canvas Lining)
Lining (a full canvas lining vs..... surrounding Strip-lining)
Breeley treatment
Lateral pull/lateral tension
Warp threads Weft threads Canvas nub or nubs Canvas texture Gesso vs..... Primer vs..... Ground
Corner draw
Paint layer crack vs.. Varnish cracks vs.. Ground layer cracks vs.. ----natural drying-crack patterns ( used by many artists as a technique).
All Artists tend to learn different techniques from self education or books or teachers, some work well, others are failures. ....if the artists' pigments are falling off the support layers consolidation is usually in order. What systems or techniques of adhesion and consolidation is by a conservator varies from conservator to restorer. Ideally the artist would approve of my treatments. But remember, so called damage, is usually the fault of some stress of impact or sometimes a temperature change that hurts the art work. But often, it is the fault of the artists applications of materials, or the storage or the framer or some unfortunate occurrence. ( I could tell you some long stories ).