'John the Baptist' painting preserved for future generations

Parts of the 174-year-old canvas are brittle and it has started to come detached from the painting's wood frame.

But Chelsea Butrum came to the rescue over the weekend, carefully attaching fabric to the worn area to help the piece endure the effects of time.

The painting is "John the Baptist," created in 1843 by John Heyser, who built the home that is now known as the Mansion House Art Center in Hagerstown's City Park.

The painting measures approximately 4 feet by 5 feet and has been displayed in the lobby in the main hall entrance of the house.

But the plan is to move the painting to the second floor, where it will be safe from people bumping into it, center officials have said. Those standing on the first floor will still be able to see it at its higher spot, center officials said.

In the painting, John the Baptist is sitting by a waterfall clutching a cup full of water, and Lucy Ecker, a docent at Mansion House Art Center, said previously that she believes it represents "living water."

Butrum studied art conservation and is an artist, working in mediums such as watercolor.

On Sunday, Butrum had the painting out of its frame and facedown on the floor in a second-floor room. She was applying a heat-activated adhesive to the back of the painting, which allowed her to attach fabric to the back of the piece to strengthen it.

Butrum started her work Saturday, and after Sunday's efforts, she said she might have to return on another weekend to finish the project.

Butrum said it is satisfying to be able to work on a historical piece to ensure it will be enjoyed by future generations. Repairing such a painting puts one in the same frame of mind as the creator, she said.

"It's a very meditative, I guess you would say, process," Butrum said Sunday afternoon.

Chemical changes can occur in oil paintings, and it is important to keep them in a stable environment, said the 30-year-old Butrum, who recently moved her Studio Red. Cat. from Hagerstown to Baltimore. A proper humidity level is critical, she said, adding that the preferred level is 45 percent relative humidity.

The Valley Art Association, which is headquartered in the Mansion House Art Center, raised money to pay for the restoration, which totaled about $580.

Ecker, who was working at the art center Sunday, said it is unclear what inspired Heyser to create the painting. She said she doesn't know of any other existing works by him.

The painting, which had a small tear, was found in a city water department building, Ecker said.
Resource : http://www.heraldmailmedia.com/news/local/john-the-baptist-painting-preserved-for-future-generations/article_de481c5b-9b07-5817-9d9a-f086b19be76d.html