The Science Behind The Conservation Of Thanjavur Paintings

Behind the scenes: Art conservators from the CSMVS treated these paintings so that these deteriorating layers could be strengthened in position and the discoloured surfaces revived to showcase the paintings in all their richness, while at the same time maintaining and respecting the patina of age on the works.

The Tanjore paintings are made of a number of layers ranging from wood, cloth, paper, chalk paste, glass beads, gold gilding, paints and varnishes. These various layers behave differently and lead to their separation, loss of material, flaking, discolouration and accumulation of grim over the decades.