Műtárgyvédelem, 2012-2013 (Magyar Nemzeti Múzeum)
Josef Hauzinger uralkodóportréinak restaurálása
Műtárgyvédelem 37-38 The restoration of two state portraits painted by Josef Hauzinger Agnes Kuna Work by the Vienna painter Josef Hauzinger, these two portraits of Habsburg rulers — one of Maria Theresa and the other of her son Joseph II - were a pair made in 1773 for Hungary’s University of Nagyszombat. The restoration of the pictures, which were large (306x189 cm) and in very poor condition, represented an unusual and difficult task for the conservators involved. After the conducting of photographic and microscopic investigations, restoration began with the reattachment of the peeling parts along with the removal of the yellowed, cracked varnish layer; the inexpert earlier repairs; and the areas of overpainting. This work was assisted by X-ray radiography photographs. The uncovering of the paintings was followed by the cleaning of their reverse sides, the smoothing out of their bulging parts, and the making good of the gaps in their canvases. In the interests of consolidating the more fragile layers, the reverse side of each painting was impregnated. The pictures were given new stretch bars and, in those places with gaps or earlier damage, patches made from thin polyester fabric. Unevenness in the canvases and blistering were reduced with the help of a vacuum table. Next, gaps were filled, after which underpainting was performed using aquarelle and acrylic paints. The canvases were stretched over their original, albeit modernised, blank stretching frames and were then varnished. Completion of the aesthetic repairs was effected using varnishes mixed with oil paints containing a reduced amount of binding agent; these mixtures were employed as paint. Finally, in order to ensure that the surfaces shone uniformly, a further layer of protective varnish was sprayed onto the two works. Each picture was given a decorative frame that was new but in a style historically appropriate for it. A szerző cime/Author’s address: Kuna Agnes Festőrestaurátor-hallgató/Painting conservator student Magyar Képzőművészeti Egyetem, Restaurátor Tanszék 1062 Budapest, Andrássy út 69-71. Tel.: +36-20-824-9487 E-mail: kunaagi@gmail.com 132
