Harvard Art’s Susan Jackson traveled to a retreat center on Skaneateles Lake in fall 2009 for a Modular Cleaning Program Workshop that focused on the chemistry and surface cleaning of works of art. Cleaning is often part of an object’s conservation treatment plan, as it helps to preserve the physical integrity of objects. Harvard Art specializes in the conservation and restoration of period gilded objects, so this workshop was of particular interest because gold leaf is an exceptionally delicate material, measuring only 1/250,000th of an inch thick. This makes understanding how to clean it and handle any tone layers an essential tool in the conservation treatment of frames and gilded surfaces.
The workshop focused on the use of a computer program developed by Chris Stavroudis that assists in working with concentrated stock cleaning solutions. These solutions can be mixed together in different proportions, allowing the conservator to test a multitude of potential cleaning solutions, pick the cleaning system with the best result, and leave the surface in the best possible condition.
