conservation work
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Zoffany’s “The Last Supper” at St. John’s Church, Kolkata
ICI, Kolkata in collaboration with Max Mueller Bhavan restored renowned German painter Johann Zoffany’s masterpiece oil painting titled “The Last Supper”, measuring 10 ft. X 12 ft at St. John’s Church in Kolkata in 2010. The conservation project was headed by Ms. Renate Kant, well-known German art restorer based in Singapore. In nearly 6 months the project was completed and the painting was unveiled before a large gathering in St. John’s Church on July 4, 2010. The masterpiece was gifted by Zoffany in 1787 to the St. John’s Church – the first British built Anglican Church in Kolkata, at the time of its consecration. The painter’s signature, thumb impression and date are given at the right-lower corner of the painting.
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Fibreglass painting by Anjolie Ela Menon
ICI, Kolkata restored Anjolie Ela Menon’s painting done on fibreglass sheets spread over 10 panels (five nos. of size 48” X 64” and five nos. of size 48” X 32”). The painting depicts a typical railway platform scene, was gifted to the Metro Railways Authority, Kolkata and is prominently installed at the Esplanade Metro Station.
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Bamboo Craft (size: 204.5 cm x 140 cm)
A typical Tripura bamboo craft item gifted by the Maharaja of Tripura to Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose. It occupies pride of place in the drawing room at Acharya Bhavan. The damaged cane items were carefully repaired and restored at ICI, Kolkata. The extremely painstaking procedure involving minute corrective actions was completed satisfactorily.
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Oil Paintings
ICI, Kolkata received 10 oil paintings – portraits of freedom fighters from Mahajati Sadan for restoration. The paintings were extremely fragile in condition, with flaking, cracks, loss of support, loss of paint layer, warping, stains, dust and dirt etc. Conservation treatment method involved application of a suitable consolidant on flaked paint layer; surface cleaning; mending of lost portion and lining given for strengthening the painting; re-stretched on a clean stretcher, reintegration was done whenever required and a protective coat applied finally.
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Leather Shields
ICI, Kolkata restored two pieces of shields made of leather with brass and copper studs, which were displayed in a permanent exhibition at the Danish Governor’s House in Serampore. The Danish East India Company had set up its trading establishment in Serampore (during the Raj era). A zamindari ruled by the Goswami family, maintained a small militia which was armed with muskets and swords.
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Terracotta Object (size 15-inch x 7 inch)
ICI, Kolkata received this terracotta object from a private collector. The object was broken in several pieces (approx. 26 nos.) and required restoration.
All the broken pieces were aligned in sequence and joined with suitable adhesive, finally a retouch and protective coating was applied.
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Diary
A private collector’s vintage diary of 1889 period was received by ICI, Kolkata for restoration. It was in an extremely fragile condition. The diary was fumigated, dry brushed then its folios digitised and decalcified, it was given a full lining with conservation tissue paper and finally rebinding.
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Pattachitra (fabric) Painting:
A pattachitra of size 38 cm x 45.7 cm, depicting the images of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra,Subhadra and other gods and goddesses was received by ICI, Kolkata from a private art collector. The paintings had fungus, stains, flaking of paint layer, loss of paint layer, warping, darken varnish, dust and dirt etc. The treatment method for conservation involved: fumigation, application of suitable consolidant, cleaning the surface, removal of darkened varnish and flatting; given new lining on new canvas, reintegration of colour where required, application of a layer of protective coat and finally the painting was reframed with old cleaned frame.
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Conservation Documentation and Digitization of Meeting Proceedings Volumes of Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata
Numerous volumes of Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port’s Meeting Proceedings, Indentures and Plans of The Port Commissioners, Calcutta from 1967 and 1968 were received for conservation by the ICI Kolkata centre.
General Condition: The volumes were extremely fragile and fungal infected. Folios were stuck to each other and had tears, stains, fold marks, previously torn pages were fixed with cello-tapes and dust and dirt was also present.
Treatment: The volumes were first fumigated and dry brushed. After that, all folios were decalcified and full lining with tissue paper was completed by re-binding of the volumes. Digitization work of all the folios is in process.
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Indentures and Plans of The Port Commissioners at Calcutta
Kolkata conservation centre received The Port Commissioners’ folios dating 1876, containing 31 Plans and 37 Indenture Sheets for restoration.
The size of Plans: 219cmx46 cm, 155cmx76.5cm and 110cmx65cm.
General Condition: The Plans were fragile and folded; the Indentures were torn and tattered. While some parts were lost some were fixed with cello-tape.
Treatment: These plans are first fumigated, dry brushed and stabilized with tissue strips. After that all maps are decalcified and fixed with a full lining of muslin cloth and tissue paper.
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Conservation of Rare Books
ICI Kolkata centre received 16 rare books for conservation from the library of HQ-Eastern Command, Kolkata.
General Condition: The books were insect-infected and came in extremely fragile condition.
Treatment: The books were first fumigated and dry brushed. Then, all the folios (pages) were decalcified, a full lining with tissue paper was fixed and re-bound to book.
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Conservation of Park Nursing Home Register
Park Nursing Home patient’s information registers from 1953 to 1966, containing 573 pages.
General Condition: The register sheets came in an extremely fragile condition, it was fungal infected, had torn pages, losses, cello-tapes fixed on earlier torn pages, dust and dirt etc.
Treatment:
The information register was first fumigated and dry brushed. After that, all folios were decalcified and full lining with tissue paper was fitted and re-binding done.
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Conservation of Old Film Poster
The conservation centre recently received a poster of Pather Panchali – Satyajit Ray’s pioneering debut film released in 1955.
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Conservation of Newspaper
A “Times of India” newspaper published on 27th November, 1969. It contains several commercial advertisements and notices of tenders on both sides.
General Condition: ICI Kolkata received this newspaper in an extremely fragile scrambled form, separated in several pieces, turned into dark-brownish-yellow colour with dust and dirt present.
Treatment: The newspaper was first fumigated and dry brushed. After that, flattening and aligning in proper space, de-acidification and full lining with tissue paper on the single side.
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Restoration of Paper Collage on Canvas
ICI Kolkata received an abstract paper collage on canvas by Muzaffar Ali, Bombay, 78. This painting was in four parts.
General Condition: The collage papers had detached from the canvas and cracks; losses and splitting had occurred. Thick layers of varnish were also present.
Treatment: The splitting areas were strengthened by applying a suitable consolidant. Followed by the process of surface cleaning and removal of varnish. Reintegration was done where required. Finally, a protective coat was applied to the paper collage on canvas for restoration.
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Conservation of Paper Paintings:
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Conservation of Oil Painting:
ICI Kolkata received an oil painting 59.5cmX44.5cm in size from a private collector for restoration.
General Condition: The painting bore extreme flaking, cracks, loss of paint layer, warping, stains, dust and dirt etc.
Treatment: A suitable consolidant was applied to the flaking paint layer for strengthening the canvas. Followed by a surface cleaning process; a lining was fitted for strengthening the painting. It was re-stretched and reintegration was done where required. Finally, the protective coat was applied to the restored oil painting.
Conservation of fungal affected Oil Paintings:
More fungal infected oil paintings were received from private collectors for restoration by ICI Kolkata.
Two very old oil paintings sized: (i) 30’x25’ (ii) 29’x22’ were received for restoration at ICI Kolkata centre from a private art collector.
General Condition:
The paintings, though had been restored previously, came in extremely fragile condition. They had flaking, cracks, loss of support, loss of paint layer, warping, stains, dust and dirt.
Treatment:
The flaked paint layer was consolidated by applying a suitable consolidant. Then surface cleaning was done. Old filling material was removed, mending of the lost portion and lining was given for strengthening the painting. It was re-stretched on a cleaned stretcher and reintegration was done whenever required. Finally, the protective coat was applied.
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Conservation of Textile
A Kantha (textile) art object of size 70’x48’ was received from a private collector from Kolkata for restoration at the ICI Kolkata centre. This ‘Naskhi Kantha’ has central lotus medallions surrounded with floral motifs on flour corners and the border has different wild and domestic animals like tiger, elephant embroidered on it.
General Condition: The object was highly fragile and had a huge amount of shoot, oil and some of the top layers of cloth were loose, had tears and deposits of dust and dirt.
Treatment: The object was first fumigated and dry brushed. Removal of stains and dirt was done using suitable solvents. The tears were mended and re-stabilised with cloth and fine net.
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Conservation of Oleograph:
The “Swarna Mriga” (golden deer in Bengali script) episode from Epic Ramayana is depicted in this oleograph.
General Condition: The print bore fungus and insect infections, had stains, warping, losses, dust and dirt etc present.
Treatment: The oleograph was first fumigated to eliminate the fungus. Followed by dry brushing with a soft sable hair brush; mended paper strips and backing boards were removed mechanically from the reverse side of the oleograph. The painting was de-acidified and lined on a tissue Vaishali. The conservation work is under process.
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Restoration Oil Paintings: Heritage Portraits from Serampore
The INTACH Conservation Institute (ICI), Kolkata recently finished an intricate restoration of two antique oil portrait paintings received from a Serampore-based family. The paintings measuring: a) 20”x24” had a brown, black and off-white coloured frame and b) 36”x31” had an ornamental golden colour frame.
General Condition:
Upon arrival, both portraits were in very fragile condition. One of the paintings showed large tears which required extensive mending. These paintings had undergone some restoration attempts earlier. On examination, the two canvases revealed overall signs of damage, decay and deterioration like – large tears, significant loss of support; extensive flaking, deep cracks, warping; accumulation of stubborn dust, dirt, and stains.
Conservation Treatment:
Team of ICI expert restorers assisted by young trainees carried out a meticulous and step-by-step treatment process, as follows:
– Disinfecting: The paintings were dismantled and underwent fumigation.
– Stabilizing: The extent of damage was further revealed after surface cleaning was done. Enabling the restorers to mend the tears, lost portions and provide lining for structural strengthening of the paintings.
– Reinforcing: Suitable consolidants were applied to fix the flaking paint layers preventing further decay.
– Reintegrating: The canvases were stretched onto clean stretchers and in-painting (reintegration) was done where required to restore the portraits with flawless, like-original appearance.
– Finishing: Protective coating was applied to keep the canvases’ surface safe from damage. The two frames – brown, black and off-white and golden coloured – were cleaned, restored and reframed to their original elegance.
The family’s historical oil paintings received a fresh lease of life, conserving it for future generations.
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Restoration Oil Paintings: Reviving a Work of Art
ICI Kolkata centre successfully completed restoration of an oil painting of size 30”x24” on canvas with a wooden brown colour frame. The art work came to the ICI restorers in a critically fragile condition for repair.
General Condition:
The oil painting was significantly infected by insects that had weakened the entire structure. The structural strength of the canvas and wooden frame was damaged by termite infestation. Canvas and frame structure had decays like distorted surface, large tears and loss of original support. The canvas bore distinctly visible marks of degradation like thick accumulation of dust and dirt, blanching stains and deep cracks. In addition, exposure to years of environmental phases and neglect also led to the painting’s fragile condition.
Conservation Treatment
To restore this fragile art work, the restoration experts at INTACH Conservation Institute, Kolkata, employed meticulous step-by-step treatment process as follows:
– Disinfecting: The painting was first dismantled from its original brown wooden frame. Professional fumigation was performed to clean the art work by eliminating all active termites and any other insect pests.
– Stabilizing: Deep surface cleaning to remove layers of dirt, dust, stains, etc. A full lining technique was used to provide a new, strong support for the weakened original canvas. The painting was stretched onto a stretcher to prevent the painting from warping or getting distorted in future.
– Reinforcing: Appropriate consolidants (adhesives) were applied on the canvas to prevent further paint loss and secure flaking.
– Reintegrating: To cover paint loss, precision in-painting was done on required spots. The canvas was stretched onto a clean stretcher for this process to restore the portrait.
– Finishing: A suitable protective varnish coating was applied to protect the oil painting’s surface and colours. Its wooden brown coloured frames were reframed and restored to a fresh and longer lasting future.
ICI Kolkata’s team of restorers successfully restored this 30”x24” oil painting on canvas by using meticulous techniques and ensuring its longevity for generations to come.
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Restoration of Oil Painting: Historical Portraits from Mahajati Sadan
In mid-October-2025, the Kolkata centre of INTACH Conservation Institute (ICI) received fifteen oil paintings from the collection of Mahajati Sadan – historic culture centre. The paintings entrusted to ICI Kolkata for restoration, featured portraits of varied iconic freedom fighters, scientists, poets and writers. The approximate size of the portraits was 71.5 cm x 61 cm, the frames design was ornamental and golden in colour.
General Condition:
The restorers found the fifteen paintings in fragile to very fragile state. Each portrait revealed deterioration caused by factors like aging of materials and exposure to environmental phases.
In addition, key issues like loss of canvas support, sizeable tears and warped stretchers were also assessed by the ICI team. Issues of decay like blanching (cloudy white stains), wooden stretcher bars impressions and aging cracks all over the paintings. There were thick layers of dust and grime, darkened varnish that covered the original details. Among all the oil paintings, two caught the ICI Kolkata team’s special attention.
One of Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose, the portrait was critically damaged with significant loss of support, large tears, immense warping and thick layer of dust. Second of Tripura Sen, the portrait exhibited substantial paint flaking.
It was found that some of the oil paintings had been through restoration before. Further, requiring meticulous removal of non-archival materials.
Conservation Treatment
For this restoration project the conservation team worked in a planned method suitable for preservation of the heritage oil paintings as follows:
– Disinfecting: Each painting was carefully dismantled from its damaged wooden frame and stretcher. Professional fumigation was done to eliminate any termite and other insect, pest infestation that can damage the canvas and wood.
– Stabilizing and Reinforcing: Suitable consolidant was applied to fix the flaking paint layers. Followed by meticulous surface cleaning process to remove thick deposits of dust and darkened varnish and reveal the original colours and look of the art work. Full new lining was given for strengthening the painting.
– Reintegration and Finishing: On new stretchers all the paintings were stretched and precision in-painting (reintegration) was done on required places to restore the portraits original look. Finally, protective coating was applied to safeguard the oil paintings’ surface and colours for future.
For the INTACH conservation team, this restoration project was not just a technical task to be accomplished but a prestigious responsibility. Like the iconic Mahajati Sadan, these paintings too are an invaluable heritage of the city, state and nation.
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Restoration of Photograph: Monochrome from Tripura House
A black and white photograph from Tripura House archives was received by ICI Kolkata for restoration. The portrait photo of size 21.5”x16” came without a frame and in a brittle condition.
General Condition:
On assessing the conservation team found that the photograph was in multiple fragments and required rearrangement. It showed significant flaking, loss of surface area, stains, dust and dirt. Marks of environmental and chemical degradation were evident.
Conservation Treatment:
Advanced restoration techniques were used to restore the heritage portrait. ICI Kolkata restorers employed a step-by-step treatment process as follows:
– Disinfecting and Stabilizing: The 21.5”x16” photograph was fumigated to remove any insect, pest infestation. The original image details came out clear after careful surface cleaning.
– Deacidification: The photograph went through a deacidification process – neutralization of chemicals – to prevent it from staining and brittleness in future.
– Reinforcing: Washly tissue lining support was provided for strengthening the photograph. Tissue pulp was meticulously used to rearrange and mend the lost areas.
– Reintegration: Precision in-painting was done on required lost areas. Professional photo colours were used for the in-painting process to match the original photograph.
– Finishing: The restored photograph was finally hinged and mounted using an acid-free mount board.
The archival photo from Tripura House got a fresh lease of life for generations to come.
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Restoration of Document: Preserving a Nursing Certificate
ICI conservation team accomplished the restoration of a nursing training certificate received from Mr. P. Cherian Mathew. Measuring 19”x16”, the certificate bears archival importance in nursing, medical history. The brittle document was in need of conservation treatment to prevent further decay and restore its originality.
General Condition:
The certificate arrived at ICI lab in a very fragile condition. It was kept rolled-up for many years, making the paper brittle and prone to damage. Close assessment of the structure’s material revealed tears in several places, loss of material around the edges. The surface had accumulated years of dirt, dust and stains.
Conservation Treatment:
A methodical treatment process was executed by ICI team of restorers, as follows:
– Disinfecting and Stabilization: The certificate underwent fumigation to cleanse it from any existing or future threats of insect and pest infestations. Followed by meticulous surface cleaning to remove accumulated dust, dirt and stains and reveal the original form of the certificate. The paper had developed crease marks by being rolled-up for a long time. These were evened out by using the flattening method.
– Deacidification and Reinforcing: Chemical neutralization or deacidification treatment was performed to reduce the acid levels present in the certificate. Deacidification boosts the paper’s structural strength for more years. Tissue washly lining was applied for overall reinforcement and to prevent brittleness.
– Reintegration and Finishing: Tears and loss of material around the certificate edges were filled and mended with precision care. Tissue pulp was used as fillers to match the paper’s original texture. The certificate was finally hinged and mounted on an acid-free mount board.
The 19”x16” nursing training certificate was restored to its old form in addition to longer life for future generations.
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Restoration of Book: Century-old Heritage of Indian Cartoons
The Kolkata centre of INTACH Conservation Institute was entrusted with restoration of the 100-year-old first issue of Indian Cartoons published in 1921 and edited by B. Gangooly. This vintage copy is a tangible testimonial of satirical comic art from West Bengal. The copy of Indian Cartoons received by ICI centre featured 10 illustrations by the renowned G.N. Tagore, B. Gangooly, Miss K. Roy, Mr. Phillip Greaves and Miss Macleod. The century-old book came in a brittle condition and was given careful conservation treatment by the expert team of restorers at the ICI laboratory.
General Condition:
The Indian Cartoons book was assessed in the lab by experts and was found to be extremely brittle. Significant damages to the book were evident from insect and fungal infestations. Leading to loss of support, pages worn and torn at the edges and loosening of the book’s binding. Over the years, pages had turned highly acidic, resulting in severe brittleness and yellowing of paper.
Conservation Treatment:
To preserve the literary legacy of the Indian Cartoons and satirical comic art, a meticulous book restoration plan was executed by team of ICI restorers as follows:
– Disinfecting and Deacidification: At the onset, the book was fumigated to eliminate all active insects and fungal presence. Followed by careful unbinding of the book leaves (pages). To prevent damaging chemical reactions from high acidic levels, each leaf was deacidified with a suitable chemical solution.
– Reinforcing: The pages were flattened and meticulously mended. The loss of support was fixed by applying a full single-sided lining. Providing the book with a new and flexible binding.
– Reintegration and Finishing: The treated pages of Indian Cartoons were meticulously stitched and rebound to its original form.
The century-old satirical comic book has been restored to functional and sturdy form. Ensuring its safety while being handled by different readers.
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Restoration of Document: Chaitanya Library’s 135-year-old MoA
A prestigious document restoration assignment was entrusted to ICI Kolkata for restoration. It was the esteemed Chaitanya Library’s original 1891 Memorandum of Association (MoA), enclosed in its original envelope. The MoA consisted of several pages, and came in a very fragile condition. Chaitanya Library’s official deed entailed immense heritage value in terms of the historical establishment and legal document. A vital piece for record, this deed is proof of the library’s establishment and West Bengal’s intellectual legacy. This was a significant project for INTACH Kolkata and its team of restorers.
General Condition:
ICI Kolkata received the MoA in an exceedingly brittle condition. In addition to issues of natural aging of the document, prior efforts of repairs had caused immense damage to the deed. Restorers’ assessment revealed mismatch in page order. Damage caused by innumerable cello tapes and paper tapes stuck on either side of the pages. These adhesive tapes are common quick-fixes to mend tears on paper. The papers of the 135-year-old deed had high acidic levels resulting in loss of support, brittle edges and yellowing.
Conservation Treatment
The MoA document restoration project was executed in a planned step-by-step method by the conservation team in the ICI laboratory, as follows:
– Disinfecting and Tape Removal: To eliminate infestations by insects, fungus the deed and its envelope were fumigated. With the help of suitable solvents, the cello tapes were painstakingly removed in the lab. A very delicate procedure was carried out with utmost patience and care to ensure the paper and ink are not impaired in the process. Years of environmental exposure had weakened the tapes’ adhesive aggravating the damage.
Deacidification and Reinforcing: To control high acidic levels the papers underwent chemical neutralisation. This process prevents further decaying, like yellowing of paper and brittleness. The pages were flattened and meticulously mended. The loss of support was fixed by applying lining on both sides of all the pages.
Reintegration: The mismatched pages were re-arranged in original chronology after thoroughly checking the deed. After flattening, mending, full lining on both sides and page assembling. The pages were stitched in a sturdy hardbound book form.
The 135-year-old document has been restored to sustain many more years and generations in the future.
