Generally, the portraits from Joseon Dynasty, based on Eum-Taek theory, have been kept in the shrine, which is an inadequate environment for the conservation and preservation of the portraits. This unfavorable condition is aggravated with the common u...
Generally, the portraits from Joseon Dynasty, based on Eum-Taek theory, have been kept in the shrine, which is an inadequate environment for the conservation and preservation of the portraits. This unfavorable condition is aggravated with the common use of silk, which is weak and easily damaged, for the primary support of the portraits.
This paper describes conservation research on a portrait from Joseon Dynasty, the one of Kim, In-Sin, including the date of execution, the damage caused by the hostile environment, and the condition check of the portrait. It also describes a scientific analysis of the support and the pigment of the portrait. Based on the analysis, It suggests restoration treatment procedures and storage options.
The literature review and the analysis of execution techniques of the portrait show that the date of execution is estimated to be the late Joseon Dynasty, more specifically, between 1815~1848.
The research on the damage of the portrait caused by the environment shows that the damage is mainly attributed to the structure of the wall where the portrait was hung. The wall structure in the highly humid shrine and the framing of the portrait with glazing were found to prevent the air circulation, thus causing the immobilization, condensation, and evaporation of the water contents in the frame, and consequently resulting in the severe damage of the painting such as fungi and brittleness.
Since the damage of the portrait seemed to be influenced by the wall, two samples were collected from the paper and the wall. In the SEM-EDS analysis, the paper from the wall side showed higher pick for Ca. Also, the material on the wall was identified as CaCO₃, calcite, after XRD analysis. Consequently, the calcite from the wall seemed to affect the backing paper as well as primary support paper.
The condition of the painting was inspected using microscope and XRF, focused on the cracks, losses, coloring method and pigments. Lead(Pb) was found in every point except background. This implies that the lead white was applied before any color was painted on.
The restoration treatment was largely progressed through five steps. The first step was to remove the aged frame and the backing paper. Next, the portrait was separated from the glass of the frame. The third step was to remove the molds, stains, and the decoration liner of the portrait, and to restore the dislocated and creased parts to the former state. The fourth step was filling work by which the empty parts the portrait were filled with the silk dyed with elder tree fruits which is similar in type and the aging degree of the portrait silk. Lastly, the frame was decorated with a mok-pan style frame, and a wood stick(W:10㎜, H:5㎜) was inserted between the portrait and the glass to separate them.