The Right Honorable Philip Lord Hardwicke
Item
Title
The Right Honorable Philip Lord Hardwicke
Creator
James McArdell
English, c. 1729–1765
After James Wills
British, fl. 1744—1777
English, c. 1729–1765
After James Wills
British, fl. 1744—1777
Date
c. 1754–56
Materials
Mezzotint
Measurements
Image: 12-1/4 x 9-13/16 in. (30.8 x 25 cm), plate: 13-13/16 x 9-13/16 in. (34.9 x 25 cm), sheet: 14-7/8 x 10-13/16 in. (37.7 x 27.3 cm)
Description
As can be seen in the accompanying pre-treatment photograph, James McArdell’s portrait of Lord Hardwicke, which the museum was considering for inclusion in its forthcoming mezzotint exhibition, possessed some serious condition issues when it was transferred from the University Libraries print collection a few years ago. Significant paper loss in the upper right margin, together with several fold marks and a twelve-inch scratch across the image, rendered the sheet unfit for exhibition.
To address these damages, the conservator infilled the losses with Japanese paper, and then toned the repair with water-based pigment to match the color of the sheet. The long diagonal scratch had cut well into the paper, and so a thin strip of Japanese paper was adhered to the verso along the full length of the abrasion for support. The scratch and the fold marks in the upper right were then carefully inpainted, again with water-based pigments, to make them less obtrusive. The efforts improved the aesthetic quality of the print to the point that it is now, as it were, suitable for framing—in particular, for next summer’s mezzotint exhibition.
To address these damages, the conservator infilled the losses with Japanese paper, and then toned the repair with water-based pigment to match the color of the sheet. The long diagonal scratch had cut well into the paper, and so a thin strip of Japanese paper was adhered to the verso along the full length of the abrasion for support. The scratch and the fold marks in the upper right were then carefully inpainted, again with water-based pigments, to make them less obtrusive. The efforts improved the aesthetic quality of the print to the point that it is now, as it were, suitable for framing—in particular, for next summer’s mezzotint exhibition.
Source
Palmer Museum of Art, The Pennsylvania State University, Transfer from The Pennsylvania State University Libraries Print Collection.
Identifier
2009.305
Rights
This image is posted publicly for non-profit educational uses, excluding printed publication. Other uses are not permitted.