The work being restored is a pen and ink drawing on paper, dating to the early 18th century, depicting a view of the city of Trapani and its immediate surroundings from the south. It measures approximately 49 x 235 cm. This anonymous work comes from the municipal collections of Trapani, which came to the Museum in the early 20th century and is now located in Room 19. The drawing once featured a numbered legend in the central section of the composition, which is no longer visible.
The work is currently in a critical state of preservation: the paper support appears severely fragmented, hardened by an aged, presumably animal-based glue that has caused burns and brown stains. The paper is glued to a canvas, which is attached to a wooden frame. There are numerous small and medium-sized gaps, restorations with dyed Japanese paper, folds, wrinkles, detachments, white and glossy patinas due to excess adhesive, faded inks in some areas, and traces of humidity and stains. The work is displayed without a display case adequately protected from environmental changes.
The proposed intervention involves a series of specialized steps: preliminary diagnostic tests (pH, solubility of inks and glues, support analysis, cleaning tests), removal of the wooden frame, dust removal, removal of particulate matter; surface cleaning with controlled humidification; detachment of the work from the canvas support if the glue allows; deacidification; smoothing of creases; re-lining with Japanese paper of an appropriate thickness; repair of gaps and tears; mounting on an acid-free support and a homogeneous suspension system. Furthermore, a wall-mounted display case with a Plexiglas frame, anti-reflective front glass, and a honeycomb aluminum backing, with dimmable LED lighting, is planned. A lighting system will also be installed for the already restored 20th-century copy.
The goal is to ensure the preservation of the historic work, improve its readability, and protect it from future deterioration, providing the public with a well-preserved, usable, and safe drawing within the museum.
Contact the representatives for more information or to express your interest.
