Revive Your Masterpiece – Art Restoration Experts

ICAS Vilas Art Gallery has been a trusted provider of art conservation, picture cleaning, and restoration services in Letchworth Garden City. We specialise in breathing new life into cherished family collections and reviving the original splendour of timeless treasures, from antique paintings to contemporary originals.

At ICAS Gallery, we understand the sentimental and historical value embedded in every piece of art. Whether your collection consists of heirloom portraits passed down through generations or modern masterpieces, we’re here to help you preserve your family’s artistic legacy. Our expert restoration services are designed to keep your art looking its best for years.

Restoring Original Brilliance: Over time, age, environmental factors, and wear can diminish the beauty of artworks. At ICAS Vilas Art Gallery, our skilled team specialises in meticulous cleaning and restoration techniques to revive each piece’s original quality. This restores the artwork’s visual allure and preserves its cultural and emotional significance. With our picture cleaning and restoration services, you can bridge the gap between past and present generations and share the beauty and stories behind these cherished pieces with your loved ones.

Our services include restoring paintings, prints, and works of paper and cleaning and conserving frames and other artwork accessories. We use advanced techniques—chemical and mechanical cleaning, retouching, and varnishing—to repair damage and restore artworks to their former glory.

Our highly trained conservators work closely with clients, providing thorough assessments and customised restoration plans tailored to each artwork’s needs. We serve private collectors and handle pieces from all periods and styles. Our team is dedicated to preserving and restoring artworks so future generations can appreciate their beauty and heritage.

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 glance, the original painting appeared to need a general cleaning, but after further examination, I discovered fine cracks in another 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 varnish has aged, yellowed, dulled, and lost clarity, showing 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.

We strengthened the canvas with a new canvas-relining support. 

Retouch the painting with the artist’s oil paint and remove all fine hairline cracks across the picture. 

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

Contact us today to schedule a gallery visit, or we can meet with you to discuss your requirements. 

FINE ART SERVICES

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

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

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

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 for textiles such as batik, embroidery, tapestries, needlework, scarves, and clothes. We also offer re-stretching of canvases onto a new stretcher, including artwork purchased abroad, which is often rolled for easier transport.

Our Customers’ Reviews

 
 
 
 
  EXCELLENT  
  
 Based on 109 reviews 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 Susie B 
 
31 August 2026
 
 
 Verified 
Highly recommended!
Excellent service and my painting was beautifully framed, couldn’t recommend highly enough.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 Joel P 
 
30 July 2026
 
 
 Verified 
Le Mans picture
Excellent service by both brothers. They were patient. Had incredible knowledge of framing and was able to guide me through the frame and background that I needed to pull of an incredible work of art.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Samrat 
 
29 June 2026
 
 
  
Excellent work. I am thoroughly pleased with the overall experience, from start to finish. The service was exceptional—friendly, professional, and attentive to detail. I would certainly return should I require assistance in the future. Thank you all sincerely.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Chintan G 
 
14 May 2026
 
 
  
Absolutely fantastic experience from start to finish. I recently had an Egyptian papyrus art piece framed here, and the end result exceeded all expectations. The craftsmanship and attention to detail were exceptional, and the frame perfectly complemented the artwork.

The art piece holds great sentimental value for our family, so it was very important to us that it was handled with care and attention. I dealt directly with Sunil and Bipin Vilas, the owners, who I found to be very friendly, highly experienced, and clearly possessing deep technical knowledge when it comes to framing and preserving artwork. From the very beginning, I felt genuine warmth in the way they approached the entire experience. What really stood out was the genuine interest they took in understanding my taste and preferences, where the artwork would be displayed, and the overall look I was hoping to achieve. Their advice and guidance throughout the process were excellent, and I was kept well informed at every stage.

It’s rare to come across a business that combines such professionalism, expertise, and genuine customer care. I’m so glad I found them and will definitely be returning for future art and photo framing projects. Highly recommended.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Angela Wight 
 
13 May 2026
 
 
  
Absolutely delightful gallery—warm, inspiring, and beautifully curated. I visited to find a thoughtful gift and left with a stunning piece. A truly memorable experience; highly recommended.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 Sophie P 
 
12 May 2026
 
 
 Verified 
Thoroughly recommend
Thoroughly recommend this business. We were framing novices and Dev was very generous with his time and expertise. We got our painting back within two weeks and are so chuffed with the framing. They were all so friendly and helpful throughout the whole process. Thank you!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Alina Congreve 
 
28 April 2026
 
 
  
I recently had several family paintings restored through ICAS Vilas Art Gallery, and I was very impressed with the quality of the conservation work. The treatment was clearly carried out with real care and expertise, addressing dirt, cracking and discoloured varnish while preserving the integrity of the original paint. The results exceeded my expectations, and the paintings have been brought back to life in a very sensitive and considered way.

Communication was generally good, and I appreciated the time taken to explain the process and even provide a visual preview of how the works might look once restored.

Overall, this is a knowledgeable and professional service, and I would be happy to return with further paintings.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 AlinaRC 
 
28 April 2026
 
 
 Verified 
Family paintings carefully restored
We recently entrusted ICAS Vilas Art Gallery with a small collection of family paintings, including works that are of considerable sentimental value. These were painted by my great grandmother in the 1920s and 30s and included oil paintings and pastels. The conservation work carried out was excellent — handled with a light and thoughtful touch that respected the original character of the paintings while carefully addressing surface dirt, cracking and aged varnish. It was genuinely rewarding to see the results; the colours and details have come back beautifully without any sense of over-restoration. We also appreciated the opportunity to see a preview of the likely outcome on a phone app, which helped us feel confident in the process. The experience was very positive and we felt the paintings were in safe and knowledgeable hands. We would certainly consider returning with further works in future.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Kerry Durrance 
 
19 February 2026
 
 
  
My daughter bought me some Tom Hanks/Forrest Gump memorabilia for Christmas which needed very specific framing. They did it proud! Not only does the frame completely complement the items, the backlight adds an extra dimension to it so that you can see the film reel in detail. They chose background colours that really set it all off. Absolutely lovely gents. Thank you so much :)
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 Mark R 
 
5 February 2026
 
 
 Verified 
Professional framing
Got 4 pictures framed. Icas very helpful with frame choices, I was not aware of uv Glass, which gets rid of most light reflection & the ones now on my wall look amazing compared to standard glass. The framed pictures were excellently done. It is expensive to frame large pictures, but worth it if you are going to look at them for many years. Great service.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Lewis McKenzie 
 
3 February 2026
 
 
  
We had some framing done of our lovely limited edition or originals, the result were even more delightful prints, the galley enhanced their beauty using the gallery owners skills. Thank you very much.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Matt P 
 
4 January 2026
 
 
  
ICAS did a fantastic job of framing two pieces of my late mother's art. They listened intently to my requirements and helped me to find the perfect frames for these two pieces. I am so happy with the end result, thank you so much for the personalised messages about the pieces on the back as well!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Tom 
 
11 October 2025
 
 
  
Friendly, helpful, prompt framing service from Dev and the team at ICAS Vilas Art Gallery. Good range of frames and good communication. Thank you!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 Rob A 
 
23 September 2025
 
 
 Verified 
Oil Painting Restoration
Very knowledgeable and helpful. We took in an old oil painting for restoration and were very happy with the result.And local.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Ian Mullinger 
 
11 September 2025
 
 
  
I recently had two pictures framed at ICAS Vilas Art Gallery in Letchworth, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. From start to finish, the service was amazing — friendly, professional, and attentive to every detail. Sunil guided me through the options and made sure the frames perfectly suited my artwork. The whole process was smooth, stress-free, and the final result exceeded my expectations.

Highly recommend ICAS Vilas to anyone looking for quality framing and outstanding customer service!

Thank you sunil, lovely family run local business!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 ianj007 
 
11 September 2025
 
 
 Verified 
Amazing service!
I recently had two pictures framed at ICAS Vilas Art Gallery in Letchworth, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. From start to finish, the service was amazing — friendly, professional, and attentive to every detail. Sunil guided me through the options and made sure the frames perfectly suited my artwork. The whole process was smooth, stress-free, and the final result exceeded my expectations.Highly recommend ICAS Vilas to anyone looking for quality framing and outstanding customer service!Thank you sunil, lovely family run local business!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Steven Clifford 
 
5 September 2025
 
 
  
Excellent service, friendly staff.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 Bikerchick69 
 
21 July 2025
 
 
 Verified 
My daughter bought me some Tom Hanks memorabilia for Christmas which needed very specific framing. The guys did it proud! Not only does the frame completely complement the items, the backlight adds an extra dimension to it so that you can see the film reel in detail. They chose background colours that really set it all off. Absolutely lovely gents. Thank you so much :)
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 Mr Wolf 
 
7 July 2025
 
 
 Verified 
Professional advice on picture restoration
Sunil and his team were very knowledgeable and helpful in getting some of my old pictures to the right people to have them cleaned and restored. Sunil then advised on reframing and carried out that work to a very good standard. The go to place for professional advice and a great gallery too.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Phillip Donnelly 
 
25 June 2025
 
 
  
I visited the ICAS Vilas Art Gallery on 25/06/2025 and was thoroughly impressed.
It was the first time I’d spent any real time inside the gallery, and I ended up chatting with the owner, Sunil, for a good half an hour. The gallery houses an impressive and diverse selection of artwork — from both local artists and international pieces originating from as far afield as China, Russia, and Ukraine.

The longer I stayed, the more I appreciated what was on display. Each time I looked at a piece, I noticed something new — small details, hidden textures, unexpected forms. I could easily have stayed all afternoon (if I wasn’t at risk of dozing off from how relaxed I felt!).

Sunil was incredibly knowledgeable and clearly passionate about the art. He encouraged me to really immerse myself in each image — to look beyond the obvious and appreciate the brushstrokes, the composition, and the emotions being conveyed. Our eyes are often drawn to the main subject, but he pointed out how much more can be discovered by stepping back and taking in the piece as a whole.

He shared insightful stories about the artists and helped me see the artwork in a whole new light. It was an inspiring 30 minutes — and a visit I highly recommend.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 Alyson W 
 
22 June 2025
 
 
 Verified 
A fabulous framing of a lovely football shirt
Sunil was absolutely fabulous and his customer service is second to none. He goes above and beyond with every customer. He did a great job framing a football shirt for my grandson and when he knew it was going to be his birthday, Sunil worked extra hard to have it ready in time for his big day. My grandson was thrilled with it.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 Trish T 
 
12 June 2025
 
 
 Verified 
Service excellence
Sunil is very knowledgeable, his attention to dtail is incredible...This is the 4th picture that he has framed for us, and we are absolutely delighted with the framing. Trish