Art on Paper

Straightforward procedures include removing surface dirt and grime and unmounting a work to separate it from its acidic backing. More complicated water- and solvent-based treatments include tape stain removal, pulping loss repair and stain reduction.

Aqueous treatments such as immersion or slant wash are used to treat overall acid degradation and oxidation.

Burn lines are caused by the migration of acids from improper matting.

Joan Miro, undated colored lithograph, 13/150

Fiber pulp fills will complete the paper loss caused by insects or mishandling.

Bunnies, unsigned charcoal drawing

Foxing is the term for reddish-brown spots caused by either fungal activity, metal-induced degradation, or both.

Pablo Picasso, undated intaglio from Corps Perdu, 38/207

Tape and subsequent stains can be removed mechanically with solvent poultices.

Tide lines are the stains caused after a liquid entered the paper and stopped.

Elizabeth White,1893-1976, "Spring Twilight, Charleston," undated drypoint

Unmounting is often essential in arresting the migration of acidic degradation products.

Untitled Watercolor by George Biddle, 1928

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