6 Sept. 1968
Springfield
G.W.V. Smith

RE: R S WOODWARD "THRO' THE HILLS IN MAY"
(previously examined)

Treatment:

The painting was found to have several distinct, irregularly or/and accidentally, applied films; above the paint and below a layer of atmospherically deposited grime.

(It seems possible that an oil and turpentine mixture was accidentally spilled or splashed onto the surface as the painting was being finished)

The treatment eventually worked out for the safe removal of these gray and brown darkened films is as follows:

❶ A small, pre-selected area was surface cleaned with turpentine-dampened swab.

❷ Using a soft bristle brush, soap-suds with the least possible water were applied to the area.

❸ The resulting emulsion, containing the surface grime, was then brought up into solution and removed with turpentine-dampened swabs.

❹ The area was then dampened with a swab containing alcohol. This step being repeated until all discolored varnish was removed, and until the surface oil deposit (if present in that area) with its occasional trapped content of gray dirt, was swelled and separated from the paint.

❺ Then, the solution in place was taken up with swabs dampened with "mineral spirits". At the same time, the swelled and attached fragments of oil-film were caught up in the cotton fibers and removed.