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Pieter de Hooch (artist) Dutch, 1629 - 1684 A Dutch Courtyard, 1658/1660 oil on canvas Overall: 69.5 x 60 cm (27 3/8 x 23 5/8 in.) framed: 92.7 x 83.8 x 12.1 cm (36 1/2 x 33 x 4 3/4 in.) Andrew W. Mellon Collection 1937.1.56 |
Object 1 of 8
Conservation Notes
The fine, plain-weave fabric support has been lined with the tacking margins trimmed. A smooth off-white ground was applied somewhat thickly to the support. The ground is coated with a transparent brown wash imprimatura that becomes thinner in the area corresponding to the sky. With the brown wash used as an undertone, De Hooch applied paint in thin, transparent layers. The impasted highlights are constructed of small dabs of color placed in close proximity, often overlapping. This technique produces a flickering effect, particularly in the flesh tones. Infrared photography reveals artist's changes in the placement of the figures.The paint is in good condition with little loss and minor abrasion. Inpainting is limited and a slightly discolored aged surface coating is present. The painting was last treated in Holland in the 1930s. No conservation has been carried out since acquisition.[1]
[1] Pigment analysis is available in the Scientific Research
department (26 October 1978).
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