Maria Ivanovna Vassilieff

Structural Condition The artist's board is providing an even and secure structural support. There is a small indentation to the board within the darker blue pigments in the upper part of the composition, and two minor indentations within the silver white pigments towards the upper part of the right vertical framing edge. There is a further very small hole within the pale green pigments towards the centre of the upper horizontal framing edge and a very minor indentation to the upper framing edge just above and to the right of this. Paint surface The paint surface has the artist's original unvarnished surface. There are some small areas of gloss where it appears that adhesive has been applied to consolidate some areas of the paint surface. There are some old areas of paint loss most notably around the four framing edges. These could be consolidated, filled and retouched. Inspection under ultra-violet show some areas of retouching, the most significant of which are: 1) a horizontal line of retouching measuring approximately 8 cm in length running from the hair of the mask on the left through the face and right eye of the mask on the right, 2) retouchings covering paint losses along the lower horizontal framing edge, 3) an area of retouching to the chin of the mask on the left, 4) two horizontal lines of retouching within the blue vase in the lower right of the composition, and 5) an area of retouching to the right of the left eye of the mask on the right. There are other scattered retouchings. Summary The painting therefore appears to be in reasonably good condition and would benefit from the localised consolidation, infilling and retouching of any areas of paint loss.
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