Oil Paintings of Wu Guanzhong

The Oil Paintings of Wu Guanzhong


We continued with the treatment of the oil paintings of the late contemporary Chinese painting master Wu Guanzhong. An oil painting titled "Xidi Village" in the series showed symptoms of separation and lifting of paints, besides the need to remove mould from the surface. We used glues prepared from the air bladder of sturgeons, together with the mini temperature control heated spatula to restore the lifting paints to their original positions.

Part of the painting of "Xidi Village" 2001

Before treatment, there were lifting paints in some parts of the painting

The lifting paints were restored and consolidated

In another oil painting "Encounter", there was the problem of paint losses. By referring to the early photos taken of the painting when it was in pristine condition, we did the refilling, texturing and in-painting in accordance with the shape, colour and brush strokes of the missing areas of loss.

Part of "Encounter" 1999

Before treatment, there was an area of paint loss

It was restored to its original appearance

In addition, for the purpose of avoiding any accidental damage to the thick and heavy brushwork of the master, we have designed special frames for this collection of oil paintings to give an appropriate separation between the paint surface and the glazing. The new frames not only protect the paintings from dirt, dust, air pollutants and impact, but also reduce the effect of fluctuations in temperature and humidity.

Cross section of a frame