Viewing page 57 of 94

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

[[preprinted]]
[[two vertical lines]] AIR MAIL [[symbol for air mail]] [[/preprinted]]

Harvard University - Fogg Museum of Art
Cambridge 38, Mass.

For Mrs. Parker
Box Farm
R.D. 1
Hawley, Pa. (Sent on July 17, '50)

[[strikethrough]] Jul [[/strikethrough]] June 27, 1950

Mr. Arthur Sachs
Hotel St. Regis
5 Avenue & 55th St.,
New York City, N.Y.

Dear Mr. Sachs:

I want to report to you that the treatment of the Tintoretto "Baptism of Christ" is progressing on schedule and with a marked improvement in its appearance. I am quite confident that we shall be able to get rid that "steely" appearance of certain parts of the picture. I see no reason why it will not be ready for shipment to Cleveland at the end of this week. As you requested we shall inform Mr. William Milliken regarding the coating we have applied.

I was embarrassed at the time I saw you because I had no accurate information regarding condition of the Titian "Adoration of the Magi". The inspection I recalled was made in 1946 prior to its shipment from the Fogg. At that time, our records show that the picture was in a condition of considerable structural weakness. Five rather large old tears in the canvas had been repaired, but the edges of one or two of them were becoming a little loose. The original fabric had been reenforced long ago by relining. This reliningfabric had become very weak and brittle. The presence of large patches, quite recently applied, at the back opposite each of the tears, would indicate that the old tears may have come through the newer fabric. In 1946, therefore, this insecure support was somewhat reenforced, temporarily, by a grid of adhesive paper tape.

I have just taken the picture from the wall and looked at the back, and I cannot see that the support has suffered any further damage since 1946, but I did find one small flaked loss, probably in an area of over-paint, near the top edge of the front of the picture. This loss appears to be new.

Under the circumstances I think the recommendation that the painting be given special handling and the transportation of it be limited until proper treatment can be carried out, is justified.

In regard to relining I should like to add that in removing the now perished relining fabric preparatory to attaching a new one there is the possibility that some of the repairs to the old tears may get dislodged. I see no reason to expect any danger to the original materials, but these fillings now supported by the old relining fabric, may have to be replaced in places.

I send you this somewhat detailed statement to clarify my remarks of the other day which I felt were a little confused.

Yours sincerely,

Signed Richard D. Buck, Conservator.