Examination and Conservation of Wall Painting

by O.P. Agrawal and Rashmi Pathak

The book is a comprehensive guide-book for the wall-painting conservator. There are two main parts in the book. Part I describes the materials and techniques of wall paintings, different types of defects and damages which occur in them and their causes. It then goes on to describe the various examination techniques as applicable to conservation. Part II gives step by step description of conservation procedures, like documentation, strengthening and consolidation of plaster and paint, cleaning, air-pocket filling, crack filling, dealing with micro-organisms, stain removal and many other techniques. There is a chapter on Retouching or Reintegration of colours which discusses and analyzes their philosophical as well as practical details. There also is a full chapter on the techniques of transfer of wall-paintings from one place to the other. Each chapter gives, wherever appropriate, case studies of conservation of wall-paintings with which the Authors have been involved. Various techniques of analysis of plasters and pigments are mentioned in Appendices. There also is a detailed Glossary of technical terms.