The Portrait of Effie Millais by Sir John Everett Millais was recently reglazed by our conservation team. This follows three months of technical research undertaken by students at the University of Glasgow’s Technical Art History department.

Glazing is the glass or Perspex layer of the frame which protects the painting from dirt and damage whilst on display. The reglazing of Portrait of Effie Millais was vital for its preservation, as the original glazing was too reflective, and the canvas was too small for its frame.

Whilst the canvas underwent technical examinations, our conservation team meticulously cleaned the frame and removed historic exhibition labels to be reattached at a later stage. Holes were filled with wood filler and losses to gilding were retouched before wax and rabbit skin glue were used to seal the frame.

A ‘build-up’ layer was attached to the back of the frame to ensure the canvas sat comfortably in the frame. An additional slip was added to the integral slip to make the painting, which had reduced in size after relining, fit. Once the frame was prepared, the new low-reflective glazing could be inserted, followed by the integral slip, and a layer of adhesive-backed foam to cushion the canvas. In preparation for reglazing, the surface of the painting was lightly dusted. Lastly the canvas painting was secured into the frame, and a layer of protective backing material was attached to the whole reverse.

Portrait of Effie Millais by Sir John Everett Millais can now be viewed in the ‘Millais in Perthshire’ exhibition. Entry is free from 10am every Thursday – Monday.