Engraving on paper
An engraving: filling a loss
A loss had opened in the sky of this engraving. Toned paper, cut to its exact shape, closes it.
The object
An engraving of a half-length figure looking up towards the sky.
Condition
A clean-edged loss had opened in the sky at the top left: missing paper that drew the eye, with edges likely to grow with every handling.
Treatment
A fill with paper chosen for its thickness and texture, toned to the colour of the support and cut to the exact shape of the loss, then adhered with starch paste.
Result
The “after” photo shows the sheet after filling, before final retouching: the loss is closed and the sheet is sound again. Retouching, with a brush and only on the filled area, then blends the repair into the image.