A time-lapse shows the removal of aged varnish from a Maltese noble woman’s portrait, bringing the piece back to life
Heritage Malta recently shared a reel that offers sneak peek into the painstaking work behind art conservation. In this case, they were showcasing the restoration of a portrait depicting a noble Maltese lady.
With the passage of time, the varnish that was originally applied to the painting to protect it gradually oxidised and yellowed, muting its original colours and concealing fine details.
Through this time-lapse sequence, we get to see the process of varnish removal carried out by Heritage Malta’s conservation specialists. It’s a quiet transformation: warm tones emerge, facial features regain definition, and subtle details in the sitter’s attire and expression are slowly revealed. The procedure clearly demands precision, patience, and deep material knowledge to ensure the original paint layers beneath are completely unharmed.
This restoration was documented by Heritage Malta’s Digitisation Department.
Will you be visiting any Heritage Malta sites over the holidays?