Oil paintings damaged in shipment

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Just shipped an oil painting by Burford Evans to the east coast for
eventual donation to a museum in NC.  A magnificent painting of
Eubie Blake done in an oil wash.  Just as a watercolorist uses the
texture and white of the paper, Burford used used the texture and
color of the canvas in developing his painting.

Problem.  The shipper slit the painting straight across the face.

The artist has done restorations in the past and believes that it is
impossible to restore this painting.  The cut edges will take paint
differently if the canvas is relined, or patched from behind.
Further, since the paint is put on in a thin wash and uses the
texture of the canvas, repainting will be difficult.

Have started discussing this with the shipper.  Painting is in
Fayetteville NC, we are in Houston.  Any suggestions would be
welcomed.  Know anyone who could do this work or examine the
painting in the Fayetteville NC area or the Houston area when (if)
it is returned this way?

Ken Schaudt

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 11:77
                  Distributed: Monday, March 16, 1998
                       Message Id: cdl-11-77-015
                                  ***