Works on Paper Restoration and Conservation: Fine Art Prints, Documents, Drawings, Photographs

Oliver Brothers has restored many different types of works on paper: watercolors, lithographs, pastels, wood cuts, drawings, etchings, serigraphs, engravings, old maps, posters, fine art prints, letters, photographs and documents.

BEFOREFine art print restoration and custom framing

Mary Cassatt, Woman with Child, signed print, before and after restoration and with new frame

BEFORESign print by Mary Cassatt was restored and framed by Oliver Brothers in Boston

Mary Cassatt, Woman Bathing, signed print, before and after restoration and with new frame

1921 WW1 document restored1921 WW1 document restored

I received all three of my finished pieces and I am very pleased with the results. They look magnificent, and I want to thank all of you for the effort you each extended in this process. I would recommend your company to anyone who is in need of this kind of work.

Private client, Westminster, Colorado
Restoration and conservation works on paper
Damaged document repaired

Document before and after restoration treatment

Examine your artworks and call us if you notice:

– Reddish-brown spots also known as “foxing”, caused by mold

– “mat-burn”, a darkening of the paper under the mat or at the bevel cut of the window mat, caused by bad quality or very old mat boards.

U.S. Library of Congress recommendations

Our Custom Framing department follows the matting and framing recommendations set by the United States Library of Congress.

Typically, damage to the works on paper occurs due to:

1. Changes in humidity and temperature– storing works on paper in basements, attics, or hanging them on the outside walls
2. Faulty framing: mat boards containing acid and lignin, use of adhesives, lack of spacers in between artwork and glass
3. Exposure to the light: sunlight or fluorescent light or any other intense light source

WORKS ON PAPER | COMMON TYPES OF DAMAGE

Mold: Mold can be active or inactive and can appear as a stain with spores, a cluster of discolored fuzzy filaments, powdery, or practically invisible unless examined in ultraviolet light. Damp or humid environments are susceptible to mold.
Foxing: Foxing appears as brown mold stains in bullseye or snowflake-like patterns. This can be caused by mold or metal in the paper, and will cause the area of staining to become weak and brittle.
Brittleness: The overall weakening of substrate or its support (mat, mounting) caused by an acidic material that results in snapping, cracking, or breaking.
Handling/Tears/Losses: Overall weakness caused by handling, which can lead to tearing. Oils in your hands can also leave grease and dirt residue.
Adhesive Damage: Adhesives such as tape, wax, and glue can leave stains that weaken paper and can be difficult to remove.
Folds, Wrinkles, and Creases: Often caused by improper handling, creases and folds can lead to tears.
Cockling and Buckling: These occur when humidity fluctuates or the support has been wet, and appear as ripple-like or concave/convex distortions.
Abrasions, Scratches: Rubbing, friction, and scraping due to improper handling can cause a loss in fibers of the paper, resulting in scratches and abrasions.
Light Damage: Discoloration, often a “yellowing” or “browning” of the paper, caused by exposure to U/V light, which can fade inks and colors. Materials made with wood-pulp will darken upon light exposure, which causes permanent stains. Light damage can also include a general fading of the tone of the artwork.
Surface Soiling: Staining due to substances such as dust, soot, and dirt.
Water Damage: Drying liquids will cause water stains and can either be subtle or dark, depending on the amount of liquid the paper has been exposed to.

WORKS ON PAPER RESTORATION AND CONSERVATION EXAMPLES

Works on Paper | Map of Palermo before restorationAntique map after restoration

An Antique Map of Palermo
Carta Topografica di Palermo antico

Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci

Leonardo Da Vinci, (1452-1519) original drawing, restored and framed

Ansel Adams photograph framed

Ansel Adams 1902- 1984 | Photograph preserved

restoration, 1951 World Series Ticket-New York Yankees vs. New York GiantsHand-signed by: Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio and Phil Rizzuto

 1951 World Series Ticket-New York Yankees vs. New York GiantsHand-signed by: Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio and Phil Rizzuto

World War II photo, restored and framed

 
Japanese paper relief sculptures after cleaning

Japanese paper relief sculptures after cleaning

 
Joan Miro, Lithograph before restorationJoan Miro, Lithograph after restoration

Joan Miro, Lithograph, before and after restoration

Albrecht Dürer, before restorationAlbrecht Dürer, St George, after restoration

Albrecht Durer, St. George and the Dragon woodcut, before and after restoration

Winslow Homer, restored watercolor by Oliver Brothers- the oldest art restoration firm in the United States

Winslow Homer (1836 –1910) ,  Adirondack Scene: Man in Boat Watercolor on paper/  This incredible watercolor was restored, framed, delivered  by us. It is protected with Tru Vue’s Optium Museum Acrylic.

Ringling Bros and Barnum & Baily antique poster- an antique poster restoration example

Boston Harbour engraving after restoration treatment

Boston Harbor engraving restored

Japanese paper relief restoration example
Antique Poster restorationAntique Poster Restoration, after restoration example

Antique French Theatrical Poster, before and after restoration

Paul Cezanne, Lithograph, before restorationPaul Cezanne, Lithograph, after restoration

Paul Cezanne, Lithograph, before and after restoration

Old documenr restoration example

Naturalization Document, restored and framed

Arts and Crafts custom picture frame

Norman Rockwell drawing

John Singer Sargent letter restoration

John Singer Sargent, letter, drawing and lithograph

conservation treatment of the Andrew Wyeth's- watercolor

 

Andrew Wyeth 1917-2009 Damaged Watercolor restored and framed Barn wood frame | gilded liner | museum mat board | Museum Glass

 

Contact Oliver Brothers or call us to schedulle an appointment at 617-536-2323

  • Max. file size: 50 MB.
  • Max. file size: 50 MB.
  • Max. file size: 50 MB.
  • Max. file size: 50 MB.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.