ABSTRACT
In the general context of conservation, “cleaning” a painting is a broad and all-encompassing term that refers to the removal of any non-original material from the original paint surface created by the artist as well as the removal of a discolored layer of varnish either applied by the artist or one applied subsequent to the painting’s completion. Cleaning is most o¨en undertaken to bring the appearance of the painting to a state visually appropriate and comparable to its appearance and e£ect when ©rst created. ¢is is o¨en not fully possible due to irreversible changes to the paint itself and the nature of the interaction between soils, varnishes, and overpaints with the original paint surface.
