Revive Your Masterpiece – Art Restoration Experts

ICAS Vilas Art Gallery is a trusted provider of art conservation, picture cleaning, and art restoration services. Based in Letchworth Garden City for over 40 years, we specialize in breathing new life into cherished family collections. From antique paintings to contemporary originals, our expert services revive the original splendour of your timeless family treasures.

At ICAS Vilas Art Gallery, we understand the sentimental and historical value inherent in each piece of art. Whether your collection comprises heirloom portraits from generations past or contemporary masterpieces, we extend a helping hand to those who wish to preserve their family’s artistic legacy. Our art restoration services are designed to help you keep your art collection looking its best for years to come.

Bringing Back Original Brilliance: The ravages of age, environmental factors, and wear and tear can diminish the brilliance of artworks over time. However, our skilled team specializes in meticulous cleaning and restoration techniques, which revive the original quality of each piece. This process restores the visual allure of the artwork and conserves its cultural and emotional significance. By using our picture cleaning and art restoration services, you can bridge the gap between past and present generations. You can share the beauty and stories behind these artworks with your loved ones, ensuring that the cultural heritage remains vibrant and meaningful.

Our services include restoring paintings, prints, and other works on paper, as well as cleaning and conserving frames and other artwork accessories. We use various techniques and materials to restore damaged or deteriorated artwork, including chemical and mechanical cleaning, retouching, and varnishing.

The team of ICAS Vilas is composed of highly skilled conservators and restorers who are trained in the latest techniques and methods. They work closely with clients to thoroughly assess the condition of their artwork and develop a customized restoration plan to address any damage or deterioration that may have occurred. Their clients include private collectors who have worked on various types of artwork from all periods and styles. They are dedicated to preserving and restoring artwork to its original condition, thus ensuring that future generations can also appreciate it.

The fine Art restoration project 

Artist: John Miller (1931-2002)              Title: Cutting Reeds size: 53.5cm x 30.5cm.

Over the years, we have completed many exemplary art restoration projects. Recently, a client required a home visit to view an early John Miller landscape painting stored in their loft. At first sight, the original painting required a general cleaning service, but after further examination, I discovered fine cracks in a different section of the picture that needed attention!

ICAS report for an original John Miller canvas painting.

Careful examination of the painting:

The canvas on an old stretcher bar was crinkled and weakened with age.

The top paint layer showed signs of flaking & stretch cracks appeared on the surface.

The ageing of varnish, yellowing, dullness, and loss of clarity shows that the painting has deteriorated over time. 

 

Restoration process :

We first remove the old varnish coating from the original artist’s paint.

Slowly clean the oil paint layer with chemicals.

Strengthening the canvas with new canvas relining support. 

Retouching with artist’s oil paint, remove all fine hairline cracks across the picture. 

I re-stretched the canvas onto the new wooden stretcher bars and finished applying two coats of the artist’s varnish.

Call us today for an appointment to visit our gallery, or we can meet you to discuss your requirements. 

 

 

FINE ART SERVICES

Our team of highly qualified fine art restorers has extensive experience in restoring paintings to their original state. We specialize in restoring works on paper and canvas paintings, covering original pieces from the 17th to the 21st centuries.

Our comprehensive art restoration service includes cleaning, restoration, and varnishing. Throughout the restoration process, we provide expert advice and guidance at every step. We begin with a free initial inspection to evaluate the painting’s condition and determine the necessary work required. For a more detailed assessment, there is a small fee.

Additionally, we offer a convenient collection and delivery service to your home after the restoration is complete.

Our painting restoration services include:

– Assessment and appraisal reports

– Cleaning and restoration of canvas paintings

– Cleaning and restoration of works on paper paintings

– Restoration of modern paintings

– Canvas relining

– Canvas re-stretching: We offer canvas stretching services using high-quality artistic stretchers made to any standard or non-standard size, including extra-large formats (with supporting crossbar structure). We also provide various framing services, including stretching services for textiles such as batik, embroidery, tapestries, needlework, scarves, and clothes. We offer re-stretching of canvases onto a new stretcher or for artwork purchased abroad as rolled canvases for ease of transport.

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