The Transfer of Wall Paintings

The heyday of detaching and transferring wallpaintings is over, a result of shifting values in conservation and the development of solutions for in situ treatment. Transfers were carried out in the past for a number of reasons - some of which may seem frivolous or unethical today. The frequency with which transferring was resorted to reflects the prevailing attitudes and limited treatment methods at that time. The transfer of a wall painting is a difficult and risky operation that affects both the material characteristics and the incorporeal qualities of the painting. Numerous examples of the negative effects of this procedure have accumulated in many countries over the centuries and today, we are left with a vast collection of misplaced, often homeless, paintings, many of which are in dire need of treatment. This volume presents a detailed study of the transferred wall paintings in Denmark. However, the material and case studies presented contain information of interest to all conservators and others working with wall paintings.While setting the historical development and theoretical aspects in context, the author also addresses in detail the various techniques and materials used in the course of the operations. In addition, the consequences of this drastic treatment are presented and illustrated by examples of damage. Recommendations for future treatments are discussed and the text is supplemented with a survey of wall painting transfers in Denmark, which has been included on a CD ROM.