While browsing an antique store, our clients came across a painting that immediately drew their attention. The scene had an undeniable sense of calm and atmosphere, even though age had obscured much of the artist’s intent. Following the advice of their interior decorator and trusting that something remarkable was beneath the surface, they brought the work to The Conservation Center for treatment.
Slide below to see the painting before and after, and then scroll to read about the conservation process:
Luigi Olivetti (1856–1941) was an Italian painter active in Rome and throughout Italy. Known for his landscapes and depictions of daily life, Olivetti’s paintings are rooted in the tradition of genre painting, which captures ordinary moments with sensitivity and artistry. Unlike portraits, religious imagery, or grand history scenes, genre works highlight the beauty in everyday life. Olivetti worked during a period of transition in Italian art, when painters balanced academic traditions with new stylistic currents of the early modern era. His works, with their balance of detail and atmosphere, preserve a lyrical, romantic sensibility while engaging with the immediacy of light and color.
Before conservation.
The verso before conservation.
Upon arrival at The Conservation Center, the canvas was slack with corner draws and stretcher creases, and several of the keys were missing. The surface showed drying cracks, frame abrasions, and localized paint losses, including a 1/8” loss at the bottom center and a 1/4” loss in the upper right quadrant. A moderate layer of grime and a discolored natural resin varnish dulled the vibrancy of Olivetti’s palette. The frame exhibited scratches, accretions, and losses to the corners and edges.
Our team began with photographic documentation before senior paintings conservator Michael Young began stabilizing the paint layer and replacing the missing stretcher keys to restore proper canvas tension. Deformations were carefully flattened, and surface cleaning removed the layer of grime. The aged varnish was removed with solvents, revealing the depth and vibrancy of the original colors. Losses were filled, textured, and inpainted with reversible conservation paints. A fresh varnish layer was applied to saturate the paint and unify the surface sheen.
Under ultraviolet light during treatment.
The frame was also cleaned, retouched, and structurally improved to safely house the work. An acid-free backing board was added to the reverse, and the painting has been reinstalled to conservation standards.
“A frameless century-old painting in great need of attention captured our hearts as we entered the antique store,” our clients shared. “With the exceptional talent of the experts at The Conservation Center, the painting was restored to its original beauty. It will be treasured for years to come.”
After treatment.
The verso after treatment.
