Our Painting Department sees several common issues frequently in the pieces they treat: discoloration, surface grime, tears in the canvas — but every now and then, a completely unique challenge is presented. Recently, a piece brought to us by local Chicago business Nick’s Beer Garden ( 1516 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL) gave us just that.
The piece before treatment.
The painting is likely a copy of Johann Baptist von Lampi's Younger Venus and was brought over from former Yugoslavia, where it had even reportedly once been owned by Nazi soldiers.
Johann Baptist von Lampi's Younger Venus courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Peaches.
Soon after Nick’s opening, the woman in the painting coined the name “Peaches” by customers, though some preferred “Our Lady of Halsted Street,” in reference to Nick’s original location.
The most startling condition issues on this painting were four bullet holes scattered throughout its surface. The piece sustained the bullet holes in the late 1970s after one customer pulled out a pistol and began firing, luckily no one was hurt… except for Peaches.
A 1993 Chicago Sun Times article featuring Nick’s Beer Garden before it moved locations to Wicker Park.
To begin the conservation process, the piece was examined to identify areas that would require treatment. There were several areas of physical damage, including flaking along the right side of the painting, scattered abrasions throughout, and some minor splits at the top right corner of the stretcher.
Scattered abrasions and flaking were visible.
The surface of the painting had become dulled and discolored. After being in the bar for so long, it had acquired a moderate layer of surface grime and nicotine, as well as the strong odor of tobacco. There also appeared to be areas where the painting had previously been repainted.
Surface grime and nicotine were visible, particularly on lighter areas of the painting.
Once all areas requiring treatment were identified, the flaking paint was consolidated with the appropriate conservation adhesives and then surface cleaned. The cleaning was able to remove the thick surface grime and extensive dark brown accretions. The varnish layer and some areas of the previous retouching were also removed with appropriate solvents, though some remained as their removal would damage the painting.
Watch our conservators treat Peaches.
The tears in the canvas were aligned and mended using conservation adhesive and a patch on the back of the piece to reinforce the structure of the piece. The deformations in the canvas were flattened using a combination of heat, suction, humidity, and weight.
Our conservators working on the canvas.
The original canvas was lined onto prepared canvas using conservation adhesives, which added further structural support. The existing stretcher was stabilized so that the painting could be re-stretched and tension could be adjusted. As for the bullet holes, neutral-colored canvas inserts were applied to highlight the damage. This was done in order to showcase the work’s character.
Before canvas inserts were added.
After canvas inserts were added.
Though still in progress, we’re excited to see what Peaches will look like when she’s finished and will be sure to share her final transformation. She’ll eventually be returned to her home in Wicker Park, to watch over patrons as they sip a cold beer.
*Nick’s Beer Garden is currently closed per the city of Chicago’s Executive Order’s concerning slowing the spread of COVID-19, but we look forward to patronizing their establishment when they reopen and encourage our readers and neighbors to continue to support local businesses.
Nick’s Beer Garden, courtesy of Time Out.
