Yorkshire Art Rescued: Old Masters Get New Life

Centuries-old paintings across Yorkshire are being meticulously restored in a Sheffield studio, revealing their original vibrancy.

Critchlow & Kukkonen Ltd, run by Eeva Kukkonen and Lucy Critchlow, specializes in the conservation of artworks dating back to the 16th century. These pieces often carry decades or hundreds of years of discolored varnish that obscures their true colors.

The studio's work, which can span days or months and recently exceeded 700 hours for one project, involves stripping away older, sometimes damaging, restoration materials. They employ contemporary synthetic materials and reversible methods, a significant ethical advancement from past practices that sometimes involved repainting entire sections.

Landscapes, historical scenes, and portraits from local and national collections are frequently handled. Recent projects include a painting of Kirkstall Abbey for Leeds Museums and Galleries, an artwork previously in poor condition and stored for decades.

Seeing their restored works displayed in stately homes and museums provides a unique satisfaction. However, the specialists admit a tendency to notice imperfections, sometimes preferring contemporary art museums for a break from their detailed work.