Van Goghs flowers turn grey

  • Thread starter Andre
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In summary, the conversation discussed the possible causes of discoloration in old paintings, specifically due to a chemical reaction between the paint and varnish. The question of how to restore the painting was raised, with the suggestion of replacing the varnish. There was also speculation about whether removing the varnish would also remove the discolored paint and the difficulty of selectively removing lead from the pigment. The conversation also mentioned the prolific painting output of Vincent van Gogh.
  • #1
Andre
4,311
74
from old age, maybe but also due to a chemical reaction between the paint and the varnish

story

Interesting pics:

van-gogh-flowers-2.jpg


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How can this be restored?
 
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  • #2
Andre said:
How can this be restored?

They already suggested varnish replacement, didn't they?
 
  • #3
Borek said:
They already suggested varnish replacement, didn't they?

sure, but will the reacted paint also disappear with removing the varnish?
 
  • #4
No idea. If the pigment is not removed, its discoloration should not change. Selectively removing lead from the pigment can be difficult (although it doesn't have to be impossible, a lot depends on the exact composition of all substances involved).
 
  • #5
Right, maybe it has to be restored with square mm's at the time, which may take months if not years. A bit weird considering that Vincent van Gogh painted oh several dozens paintings a month with a peak of 80, the month before his death
 

1. Why do Van Gogh's flowers turn grey?

There are a few possible reasons for this. One theory is that Van Gogh used a type of red paint called geranium lake, which was known to fade over time and turn grey. Another theory is that he used a type of varnish that caused the colors to change over time.

2. Did Van Gogh intentionally paint his flowers to turn grey?

There is no evidence to suggest that Van Gogh intentionally painted his flowers to turn grey. It is likely that he simply used materials that were prone to fading or changing color over time.

3. Do all of Van Gogh's paintings with flowers turn grey?

No, not all of Van Gogh's paintings with flowers turn grey. Some of his paintings have retained their original vibrant colors, while others have faded or changed over time. It depends on the materials and techniques he used for each specific painting.

4. Can the grey color in Van Gogh's flowers be restored?

In some cases, restoration techniques can be used to bring back some of the original colors in Van Gogh's paintings. However, it is not always possible to completely restore the original colors and some degree of greying may remain.

5. Are there any other famous artists whose paintings have turned grey?

Yes, there are many other famous artists whose paintings have turned grey over time due to the materials and techniques they used. Some examples include Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, and J.M.W. Turner.

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