Decision-Making Processes Regarding the Treatment of Modern Oil Paintings (1950s-Present) Exhibiting Paint Dripping and Oil Exudates

Abstract

This paper discusses decision-making processes for the treatment of oil paintings (1950s-present) exhibiting oil exudates (This research was performed by Jazzy de Groot in 2016 as a part of the post-graduate paintings conservator training at the University of Amsterdam.). Oil exudates and ‘drips’ that exude from the paint, can have different appearances, liquid to solid and transparent to opaque. How practicing conservators treat paintings exhibiting such phenomena was established by interviews and questionnaires as well as a review of published treatments. Factors that influence decision-making processes turned out to be, among others, the possible cause, the artist intention, the extent to which exudates disturb the painting and priorities during treatment. Conservators are generally reluctant to remove exudates, especially when exudates are older. The main factors contributing to this reluctance are the uncertainty about their origin and the fact that exudates are not always considered disturbing for the image. Further research into how to detect, determine and evaluate the possible consequences of exudates will help conservators to make better-informed decisions for the treatment of paintings on which they occur.