Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-07-29
PRESER WE'D BY WAX
FOUR HIST ORIG PAINTINGS IN THE
M H.TIONAL CAPITOL.
They Wer's Treated Long After Com
pletion and When They Already
Showed. Signs of Dissolution - An
Artist's'Curious BIunder.

Artist's' Curious BIunder.
1t is 4 curious fact that the same
combination of chemicals which pre-
served In. perfect state for over 500
years the remains and shrouds of King
Edward I. of England have also been
used to preserve four of the great his
torical paintings perpetuating scenes
in the foundation and establishment Of
this government.
These four paintings occupy perhaps
the most conspicuous place for obser
vation in the nation. They are the
work of Colonel John Trumbull and
hang on the eastern wall of the rotun-
da Of the capitol.
The paintings We're put in place in
1924 under the supervision of the artist
himself, but not without much hcsita-
ton and objections on his part because
Of the dampness Of the walls and air in
the rotunda at that time. The fears OF
the artist were proved to be well
founded, for four years later the
changes on the surface of the paintings
became so apparent that congress
passed Il resolution authorizing their
removal from the walls of the rotunda
by Colonel Trumbull for inspection and
remedy If possible. 1t was ut this
point that Colonel Trumbulrs knowl.
edge Of the preservative chemical COIN
pound was drawn on,
In letter to congress. dated Dec 9.
1898, Colonel Trumbull explains IN dc.
| tail his treatment of the paintings ut
that time, and an inspection now Of
these four pictures shows that t,.ey
are In a perfect state of preservation
both as to brightness of color and con
dition Of canvas.
In the letter referred to Colonel
Trumbull says: "All of the paintings
were taken down. removed from their
frames, taken Off from the panels over
which they were strained. removed to
2 dry, warm room and there separate
" and carefully examined. The mate
rial which forms the basis of the paint
lngs Is linen cloth whose Strencti
and texture are very similar TO those
| In the topgallant sails of Il ship Of war
The substances employed In forming Il
proper surface for the artist, to"cthcr
with the colors, oils, etc. form subj
cient protection for the face or the cam
vas, but the back remains bare and cX.
posed to the deletcrious effects of damp
air. The effect Of this is first seen IL
| the form of mildew. 1t was this which
| dreaded. and the examination showed
| that mildew was already cOrliA need
and to an extent which rendered it
manifest that the continuance OF the
| same exposure ror Il few years longer
| would nave accomplished the complete
| decomposition or rotting of the can
vas and the consequent destruction of
the paintings
Colonel frumbull then explained how
| he first thoroughly dried the canvascs
and prepared them for the prcserva-
| tive. On this point he continues: Il
| had learned that few years ago some
OF the eminent chemists of France lad
| examined with great care some Of the
ancient mummies of Egypt with Il
view to ascertaining the nature OF the
substance employed by the embalmcrs
which the lapse of so many ages had
proved to possess the power OF protect
ing frcm decay substance otherwise
so perishable rs the human body. This
examination had proved that. after the
application of liquid asphaltum 10 the
cavities of the head and body. the
whole had been wrapped carefully in
many envelopes or bandaCcS of linen
prepared with wax. The committee Of
chemists decided further. after care
full examination and analysis OF the
hieroglyphic paintings with which the
casings etc, are covered, that the col
ors employed and still retaining their
vivid brightness had also been pre-
pared and applied with the same sub
stance.
II also know that toward the close
Of the last century the Antiquarian
Society of England had been permitted
to open and examine the stone coffin
deposited in one of the vaults of West
minister abbey and said to contain the
body of King Edward J.. who died In
July, 1907. On removing the stone
lid of the coffin It's contents were found
to be closely enveloped in Il strong lin
en- cloth, waxed. Within this envelope
were found splendid robes OF silk en-.
riched with various ornaments cover
ing the body. which was found TO be
entire and to have been wrapped care
fully In all its parts, even To each sep.
arate finger, in bandagos of fine linen
which had been dipped in melted wax.
and not only was the body not decom-
posed. but the various parts Of the
dress, such as scarlet satin mantle
and scarlet piece or sarscnct which
was placed over the face, were In per
feet preservation, even in their colors."
Colonel Trumbull then states that,
with this knowledge, he melted com
mon bceswaX and mixed with an equal
quantity of oil OF turpentine, which
mixture was applied hot with brushes
to the backs of the paintings and aft
erward rubbed In with hot irons until
the cloth was perfectly saturated. The
inches In the walls were backed with
cement and the paintings so placed
In them that air could circulate behind
the canvases. Spring doors were also
ordered placed in the entrances to the
rotunda by Colonel Trumbull. Since
that treatment these paintings have
had nothing done to them, and from
present appearances they need moth
Ing.
Another popularity In one OF these
pictures is pointed out to persons being
shown the capitol under the care Of
guide. and that Is In the scene Of
Washington resigning his commission.
The two daughters Of Charles Carroll,
who stand embracing each other, are
given FIVE Washington Star.
A Matter of Fact.
"Do you see the horizon yonder,
where the sky seems to meet the
earth"
"Yes, uncle"
"Boy, have journeyed SO near there
that couldn't put sixpence between
my head and the skyr'
"Why, uncle, what whopperr
"It's fact, my lad. l hadn't one to
put."-London Tit-Bits.