The painting was withdrawn from exhibition
in 1985, due to severe
conservation problems.
Careful work
The invitation for the exhibition
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The painting the "Naval Combat of Riachuelo" was withdrawn from exhibition
in 1985, due to severe conservation problems, and kept away, waiting for
the necessary funds for its restoration. In 1991 the Museum started a fund-
raising campaign, seeking to attract sponsors.
Aroused by an article "A Lost Battle", published by Jornal do Brasil in
1991, Petrobrás offered to pay for the restoration, estimated in thirty
thousand dollars. It was the beginning of a two years struggle to restore
the dignity of the painting.
Fungus and termites were eliminated, and the
varnish of damar resin, responsible for the yellowish colour of the canvas
was removed. The next step was to entwine the canvas, that is, the
collage of the original canvas over a new one, made of a very special and
resistant material.
It was necessary to darn 29 meters of pure linen to
produce a new support for the old canvas, for no textile of this dimension
is found in the market.
Lying over a scaffold, technicians carefully discovered unknown colours and
details. With the support of Sendas Trading and the Museum's Friends
Association, specific painting materials, not to be found in Brazil , were
imported.
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