First Day of Class!
What a day it has been today.
First thing this morning on arrival at the Archbishop's House we started the day by bringing down seven of the portraits from the wall. We chose the seven which normally sit above the throne, so that we are not taking from here and there leaving random blanks. It has to be said that there were some nervous moments as the workmen up the ladders unscrewed the frames from the wall and passed the paintings down, but with care and good instructions all was well. Father Agnello and Father Loiola were marvellous and calm, and maintained a good discipline to make sure that no damage was done.
The first student appeared in the throne room whilst the paintings were coming down, but by 10 o'clock there were only two in the hall which had been set up as the conservation workshop and studio. We were worried that this was all that we were gong to get, but forgetting that we were in India and so on Goan time! By 10:30 we had nine students, so more than our target of eight for the class.
After an initial introduction to the workshop and a background on the very general history of panel paintings and paintings on canvas. After a good hour, I noticed that everybody was still awake so I continued but Father in a clear voice suggested that it was time to stop for a break. Father Loiola had kindly and generously prepared coffee and tea with biscuits and salted banana chips. Then on to the first practical hands on experience of watching Caterina starting to clean the frames, and learning some basics.
First group photo. Everyone looks happy.
What is fascinating for me is that i am learning about Indian materials such as type of wood used for frames, statues.., a fruit that is used for cleaning (someone will bring it next week). One student who lives is Mumbai and commutes is reading up the solvents we use and will try and find something similar as he deals in pharmaceuticals. Another student is a professional photographer and she will be in charge of taking photos. We have a retired banker who is very organised and was in charge of the cleaning of a portrait (removal of superficial dirt only) that painting had 4 girls around it taking turns in the treatment. Not to mention our in house artist who is very knowledgeable on old masters and our marine engineer who has traveled extensively visiting galleries all over the world and is extremely observant and very much in tune with the changes of the painting surface as it was undergoing its first clean.We have so many different talents between all and each one is bringing expertise of some sort. The initial enthusiasm is great.
Towards the end of the day Joanna arrived from the London School bringing materials and dived into the cleaning having traveled since the previous day.
Back to our convent, ... to be continued, by the way just to let you know that there is annnnnnnnnnotttttther festival tonight, thank you BA for the ear plugs.
First group photo. Everyone looks happy.
What is fascinating for me is that i am learning about Indian materials such as type of wood used for frames, statues.., a fruit that is used for cleaning (someone will bring it next week). One student who lives is Mumbai and commutes is reading up the solvents we use and will try and find something similar as he deals in pharmaceuticals. Another student is a professional photographer and she will be in charge of taking photos. We have a retired banker who is very organised and was in charge of the cleaning of a portrait (removal of superficial dirt only) that painting had 4 girls around it taking turns in the treatment. Not to mention our in house artist who is very knowledgeable on old masters and our marine engineer who has traveled extensively visiting galleries all over the world and is extremely observant and very much in tune with the changes of the painting surface as it was undergoing its first clean.We have so many different talents between all and each one is bringing expertise of some sort. The initial enthusiasm is great.
Towards the end of the day Joanna arrived from the London School bringing materials and dived into the cleaning having traveled since the previous day.
Back to our convent, ... to be continued, by the way just to let you know that there is annnnnnnnnnotttttther festival tonight, thank you BA for the ear plugs.