Snowing
by Walter W. Smith
Oil on canvas 40"x30"
Examination & Treatment
|
|
|
Looking North towards West Franklin Street The following quotes of Smith about his painting, "Snowing", as quoted in a Philadelphia newspaper article expresses Smith's perfectionism and patience in achieving it. Quote: In explaining why it took so long [seven years] to complete this painting the artist, Mr. Smith, stated, "There are more than one hundred different kinds of snowstorms, and having begun with a certain type it was necessary to wait each winter for a similar storm. Two winters we had no snow of that kind. But on April 7, 1928, in Greencastle, PA, the locale of the painting, it began to snow - a small blizzard - and I finished it that day." |
|
The painting was in good condition as far as the paint surface was concerned. There was a coat of yellowed varnish covering the entire painting. On the back were three labels. One from the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, noted that the painting had been shown in the Eleventh Exhibition Contemporary American Oil Paintings, 1928. The second was an entry label with the title, "Snowing" and the artist, Walter W. Smith, 22 W Penn St., G.C., PA. The third was from the Newman Galleries, 1732 Chestnut St, Philadelphia. Since the first two labels were very brittle, they were reinforced and protected with clear plastic. |
|
|
Treatment The painting was taken out of the frame and the labels on the back were stabilized. By testing the discolored surface, a mild solvent was chosen for the cleaning agent. |
|
|
After cleaning, the surface was protected with several coats of Krylon, Kamar Varnish #1312. Edges were taped and new keys inserted in the stretchers. The painting was returned to its original frame and held in place with metal clips.
|
|
|
|
