Evening journal., 1902-07-17
PRESERVED BY WAX
-FOUR HISTORIC PAINTINGS IN THE
NATIONAL CAPITOL.

combination of chemicals which pre-
served in a perfect state FOR over 500
years the remains and shrouds of King
Edward l. Of England have also been
used to preserve four of the great his
torlcal paintings perpetuatlng scenes
in the foundation and establishment OF |
this government
These four paintings occupy perhaps
the most conspicuous place for obser-
vation I'm 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 were put in place in
1924 under the supervision of the artist
himself. but not without much heslta-
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 a resolution authorizing their
removal from the walls OF the rotunda
by Colonel Trumbull for inspection and
remedy If possible. IL was at this
point that Colonel Trumbulrs llnowl-
edge Of the preservative chemical COM
pound was drawn on.
In a letter TO congress, dated Dec. o,
1928, Colonel Trumbull explains I'm de-
tail his treatment OF the paintings at
that time. and an inspection now Of
these four pictures shows that they
are in n perfect state Of preservation
both as to brightness of color and con-
dtion OF canvas.
In the letter referred to Colonel
Trumbull says: "All OF the paintings
were taken down. removed from their
I frames. taken or from the panels over
(which they were strained, removed to
dry. warm room and there separate
ly and carefully examined. The mate
rial which forms the basis Of the paint
ings is a linen cloth whose strength
and texture are very similar to those
Iin the topgallant sails Of ship of war.
THE substances employed I'm forming a
proper surface for the artist together
with the colors. oils, etc, form sufh-
cient protection for the face OF the can
posed TO the deletcrious effects Of damp
air The effect of this Is first seen in
the form Of mildew. II was this which
Il dreaded, and the examination showed
that mildew was already commenced
and TO an extent which rendered it
manifest that the continuance OF the
same exposure for n few years longer
would have accomplished the complete
decomposition or rotting Of the can
vas and the consequent destruction Of
the paintings"
Colonel Trumbull then explained how
he first thoroughly dried the canvases
and prepared them for the preserva-
tive. On this point he continues; Il
had learned that n few years ago some
OF the eminent chemists OF France had
examined with great care some Of the
ancient mummies of Egypt with
view 10 ascertaining the nature Of the
substance employed by the embalmers
which the lapse of so many ages had
proved to possess the power Of protect
ing from decay q substance otherwise
so perishabe as the human body. This
examination had proved that. after the
application of liquid asphaltum TO the
cavities OF the head and body, the
whole had been wrapped carefully I'm
many envelopes or bandages Of linen
prepared with wax. The committee Of
chemists decided further after q care
fui examination and analysis Of the
hieroglyphic paintings with which the
castings. 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.
Il 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 T.. who died in
July, 1907. On removing the stone
, lid Of the coffin It's contents were found
; TO be closely enveloped ia a 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 20 have been wrapped care
) fully in all its parts, even TO each sep
arate finger 10 bandagos of fine linen
= which had been dipped In melted wax
/ and not only was the body not decom.
t posed, but the various parts Of the
5 dress. such as n scarlet satin mantle
: ana a scarlet piece OF sarsenet which
= was placed over the face. were IN per
feet preservation. even I'm their colors.'
Colonel Trumbull then states that
with this knowledge, he melted com
? mon beeswax and mixed with an equa
{ quantity OF oil Of urpentine. which
r mixture was applied hot with brushes
to the backs OF the paintings and aft
erward rubbed In with hot irons unit
{ the cloth was perfectly saturated Tn,
q inches IN the walls were backed Will
cement aud the paintings so PLACED
In them that afr could circulate behint
the canvases. Spring doors were alsl
ordered placed in the entrances to tn,
) rotunda by Colonel TrumbulL Sine,
. that treatment these paintings have
u 41.f q.