““In 1877, Mother M. Frances Krasse and a few other Sisters started caring for patients in a small rented house in Peoria, Illinois. One hundred forty-five years later, The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, along with OSF HealthCare System, care for patients throughout Illinois and parts of Michigan. They serve local communities with fifteen hospitals, countless other medical facilities, and other resources.””
Painting of Mother M. Frances Krasse, before treatment
Mother M. Frances Krasse left behind a legacy when she passed away from tuberculosis at the age of 46 in 1885. An emigrant from Germany, Mother M. Frances only spent nine years in Illinois. Along with five other Sisters, she arrived in Peoria in 1876 to start a hospital they named called St. Francis Hospital and was appointed the local superior. The following year, they formed a new congregation - Sister of the Third Order of St. Francis of Peoria, with Mother M. Frances serving as the first Mother General.
The inscription reads "Rev. Mother Francis [sic], Foundress of St. Francis Hospital, Peoria ILL."
The Latin motto, Ora Et Labora, means “Pray and Work”
This painting commemorates Mother M. Frances and is inscribed "Rev. Mother Francis [sic], Foundress of St. Francis Hospital, Peoria ILL." The Latin motto, Ora Et Labora, is also prominently featured in the composition. It means "Pray and Work" and encapsulates Mother M. Frances's life and how she embraced the call to serve. After arrival at The Center, examination showed the painting was executed on a linen canvas of medium weave and weight. The stretcher, which appears to be the original, was missing all of its eight keys. The painting also exhibited stretcher creases on all sides. However, most prominently, there was a large complex tear running through the face and chest of the figure, disfiguring the painting.
Before treatment, complex tear through the face and chest of the figure
Before treatment, complex tear through the face and chest of the figure at an angle
The oil paint layer exhibited age-related craquelure throughout, but the craquelure was stable and would not need to be addressed during treatment. The examination also determined that the painting had a heavy layer of surface grime, and testing showed that the painting would brighten significantly with cleaning.
Before treatment the painting is shown here under UV light
Senior Paintings Conservator Michael Young began treatment by flattening the canvas while aligning the tear areas using humification and weighting techniques. Once aligned, the tear could be mended using conservation adhesives and Japanese tissue on the reverse for reinforcement. With the tear stabilized, the painting was surface cleaned to remove the grime layer using appropriate solvents. The missing keys were replaced, and the stretcher was keyed out to provide adequate tension for the canvas and help reduce the stretcher creases. A crossbar was added to the stretcher for additional support and stability as well.
Painting verso, before treatment
Painting verso, after treatment with added crossbar
The paint layer was locally consolidated along the tear using the appropriate conservation adhesives, and the losses were filled and textured using an appropriate conservation grade fill material. A coat of isolating varnish was applied to saturate the paint layer. Inpainting was then carried out in areas of loss and abrasion using reversible conservation paints. A final coat of satin varnish was applied to integrate the surface of the painting.
During treatment, the complex tear has been aligned and mended
The painting was installed with a fillet into the selected replacement frame, an olivewood profile with a medium satin finish, and a 1 1/2" face to conservation standards. An acid-free coroplast backing board was attached to the reverse to provide additional protection and appropriate hanging hardware.
After painting treatment is complete, before framing
Mother Frances Krasse's words of advice, "Serve with the Greatest Care and Love," are still the guiding principle for the Sisters and the healthcare system all these years later. This newly conserved painting will continue to honor Mother M. Frances's life and legacy for decades to come.
