Abstract
This paper presents the study and restoration of Georges Mathieu’s 1957 painting Théorème de Gödel (oil on canvas, 146 cm × 89 cm), in the Palais des Beaux Arts of Lille, France. The painting shows several signs of degradation which result from a combination of factors such as: the artist’s action and painting technique: tubisme producing thick black impastos; the composition and interaction between the binding media, linseed oil and the ivory black pigment; the environmental conservation conditions.
Both mechanical and optical damages were identified, such as loss of cohesion and adhesion in the impastos resulting in cracks, severe cleavages and lacunas, linseed oil drips and surface soiling.
Since the painting is still not dry in the thick impastos, the deterioration is ongoing. A method was developed using little or no adhesive with the possibility of reversibility for future interventions. Pure ethanol was used to reactivate the cohesion and the adhesion of the cracked impastos.
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Notes
- 1.
Mathieu 2006.
- 2.
tachisme from french “tache” meaning stain; see e.g. Un art autre? Artistes autour de Michel Tapié. Catalogue d’exposition Christie’s, Paris 31 janvier–29 février 2012; Mathieu Rétrospective, Catalogue d’exposition, Galerie Nationale du Jeu de Paume, Paris 17 juin–6 Octobre 2002.
- 3.
Located in St Brieuc (France).
- 4.
‘lead oxide base’ according to Monsieur Sennelier, former owner of Artes, which should be taken as lead white.
- 5.
the diameter of rolled impastos is similar to student quality tubes (archives catalogue Lefranc; located at ColArt International SA 5, rue René Panhard, ZI Nord 72021 Le Mans Cedex- France.
- 6.
Catalogue information des archives Lefranc Bourgeois.
- 7.
According to Mrs Nicole Jouvenet, Member of Société des Amis des Beaux Arts de Lille.
- 8.
Axiology could be defined as a theory of values in philosophy, both in the fields of aesthetics and ethics.
- 9.
Pentasilée, 1958; Bataille d’Hastings 1956; Les Capétiens partout, 1954; Lothaire se démet de la Haute Lorraine, 1954; La mort d’Ascelin de Rochester.
- 10.
Pompes funèbres du cœur de Condé, 1960.
- 11.
Recently, Aurélia Chevalier, paintings conservator based in Paris, has been successful in these treatment in the conservation of paintings by Joan Mitchell.
- 12.
Each cycle consisted of three phases: a hot and dry phase; a cold and wet phase; a hot and humid phase. Each phase lasted 24 h.
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de Ségogne, H. (2014). Théorème de Gödel by Georges Mathieu, 1957. Study and Restoration: Consolidation Through Cohesive Regeneration Using a Solvent. In: van den Berg, K., et al. Issues in Contemporary Oil Paint. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-10100-2_9
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