Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640), The Consecration of Decius Mus, 1616/17
Currently in Treatment
In May 2023, work began on examining and recording the condition of the painting “The Consecration of Decius Mus”. In the meantime, its place in the gallery has been taken by a tapestry depicting the same scene.
Deinstallation of “The Consecration of Decius Mus”
The different imaging techniques (X-radiography, infrared reflectography and raking light photography) offer insight into the painting process (materials and techniques), can localize older damages and their repair/restoration as well as provide comprehensive documentation regarding the state of preservation.
The condition of the painting “The Consecration of Decius Mus” has been tempered by the earlier seventeenth-century lining procedure (adhering the original canvas to a secondary fabric support). This process is usually associated with varying degrees of pressure, heat, and moisture. If not precisely controlled, the original canvas, and overlying paint films can be adversely affected. The typical problems are the shrinking of the older canvas and the subsequent compression of the paint film causing localized paint delamination and loss. When considering the options for the stabilization and technical treatment of the painting one needs to balance the effectiveness of treating the paint surface with the historical lining intact or eventually removing this addition to better service the deformations to the original work.
