This is a beautiful seascape. It is signed by L. Frankel ABA, 1897.

It measures 48” x 32” and the frame measures 58.5” x 42”.

The painting looked dull and the colour of the sea was green as a result of the oxidized varnish.

The canvas was fragile and the paint layer showed cracks, ridges and a small tear. The cross bar from the stretcher had produced two vertical cracks from top to bottom in the centre of the composition.

The main problem was the stretcher. The canvas was loose and therefore it moved the canvas in one direction, the paint layer to another, the result cracks and loss of paint.
The painting also had extensive atmospheric pollution and insect dirt.

Because of the size of the painting and of the stresses to the canvas during the cleaning process it was decided to reline on a heated vacuum table. This process supports the canvas and the paint layer and it was possible to clean without too much danger of further damage. The outcome was a surprisingly rich in colour, rather stormy sea with a weak sun barely passing through the clouds.

The frame needed extensive restoration of missing areas. This was done by taking moulds of the sound areas and replacing the missing details.