De Haar Castle (near Utrecht, the Netherlands) houses the only early Spanish paintings in Dutch public collections. The ensemble (nine pieces in total) contains a large panel painting attributed to Joan Reixach. Conservation treatment of this
painting created the opportunity to carry out an in-depth analysis of the materials and techniques used. Radiography, infrared reflectography and cross-sections were used to study the painting’s construction techniques and pigments. During treatment, a question arose regarding a grey surface layer underneath the varnish. Selected paint samples were further studied using scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to determine the nature of this layer. It was concluded that the grey layer was not original, and the decision was made to remove it as it influenced the appearance of the painting.
Keywords: painting techniques, painting conservation, altarpiece, technical analysis, Joan Reixach, panel painting
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