Conservation & Restoration of Paintings and Works of Art

Painting conservation — Zofia Siek-Mlicka at work

Services

I restore former glory

The conservation of works of art is a process that requires not only technical knowledge but also deep respect for the history of the object. I treat every heritage object individually, selecting methods and materials to suit its specific character.

I conserve oil and tempera paintings, wall paintings, polychrome sculpture and architectural elements. I work with parishes, museums, private collectors and cultural institutions.

The conservation process is based on a thorough analysis of the work — its support, the technology of its execution, its paint layers and the traces of time. Each painting is treated individually, with respect for its history and authentic substance. Painting restoration is carried out in a professionally equipped conservation studio located near Kraków, Poland.

The aim is not only to restore a work's aesthetic qualities, but above all to preserve its original character and technique, in accordance with the principles of sound conservation practice.

Request an initial assessment Briefly describe the object. In the prepared email, you can attach overview and detail photographs of any visible damage.

Portfolio

Conservation — before and after

I photograph and document every object. Click to see the full set of photos before and after conservation.

Woman with Branches — Włodzimierz Tetmajer — after conservation — Painting conservation
Woman with Branches — Włodzimierz Tetmajer

Woman with Branches — Włodzimierz Tetmajer — before conservation — Painting conservation
Woman with Branches — Włodzimierz Tetmajer

Sistine Madonna, after Raphael — after conservation — Painting conservation
Sistine Madonna, after Raphael

Sistine Madonna, after Raphael — before conservation — Painting conservation
Sistine Madonna, after Raphael

View of Kazimierz — after conservation — Painting conservation
View of Kazimierz

View of Kazimierz — before conservation — Painting conservation
View of Kazimierz

Jesus — after conservation — Painting conservation
Jesus

Jesus — before conservation — Painting conservation
Jesus

Manor House — after conservation — Painting conservation
Manor House

Manor House — before conservation — Painting conservation
Manor House

The Miracle of St Louis Bertrand — after conservation — Painting conservation
The Miracle of St Louis Bertrand

The Miracle of St Louis Bertrand — before conservation — Painting conservation
The Miracle of St Louis Bertrand

Madonna and Child, church in Rudawa — after conservation — Painting conservation
Madonna and Child, church in Rudawa

Madonna and Child, church in Rudawa — before conservation — Painting conservation
Madonna and Child, church in Rudawa

Benedictine Abbey in Tyniec, oil painting — after conservation — Painting conservation
Benedictine Abbey in Tyniec, oil painting

Benedictine Abbey in Tyniec, oil painting — before conservation — Painting conservation
Benedictine Abbey in Tyniec, oil painting

Landscape 1 — after conservation — Painting conservation
Landscape 1

Landscape 1 — before conservation — Painting conservation
Landscape 1

Landscape 2 — after conservation — Painting conservation
Landscape 2

Landscape 2 — before conservation — Painting conservation
Landscape 2

Landscape with a Manor — after conservation — Painting conservation
Landscape with a Manor

Landscape with a Manor — before conservation — Painting conservation
Landscape with a Manor

Landscape, L. Leprou — after conservation — Painting conservation
Landscape, L. Leprou

Landscape, L. Leprou — before conservation — Painting conservation
Landscape, L. Leprou

Portrait of a Woman — after conservation — Painting conservation
Portrait of a Woman

Portrait of a Woman — before conservation — Painting conservation
Portrait of a Woman

Portrait of a Woman 2 — after conservation — Painting conservation
Portrait of a Woman 2

Portrait of a Woman 2 — before conservation — Painting conservation
Portrait of a Woman 2

Portrait of a Seated Woman — after conservation — Painting conservation
Portrait of a Seated Woman

Portrait of a Seated Woman — before conservation — Painting conservation
Portrait of a Seated Woman

Portrait of a Queen — after conservation — Painting conservation
Portrait of a Queen

Portrait of a Queen — before conservation — Painting conservation
Portrait of a Queen

Portrait of a Man with a Girl — after conservation — Painting conservation
Portrait of a Man with a Girl

Portrait of a Man with a Girl — before conservation — Painting conservation
Portrait of a Man with a Girl

Portrait of a Nobleman — after conservation — Painting conservation
Portrait of a Nobleman

Portrait of a Nobleman — before conservation — Painting conservation
Portrait of a Nobleman

Portrait with an Ermine — after conservation — Painting conservation
Portrait with an Ermine

Portrait with an Ermine — before conservation — Painting conservation
Portrait with an Ermine

The Transfiguration, church in Będzin — after conservation — Painting conservation
The Transfiguration, church in Będzin

The Transfiguration, church in Będzin — before conservation — Painting conservation
The Transfiguration, church in Będzin

St John the Evangelist — after conservation — Painting conservation
St John the Evangelist

St John the Evangelist — before conservation — Painting conservation
St John the Evangelist

Wall decoration — frieze — after conservation — Painting conservation
Wall decoration — frieze

Wall decoration — frieze — before conservation — Painting conservation
Wall decoration — frieze

Portrait of a Woman in a White Dress — after conservation — Painting conservation
Portrait of a Woman in a White Dress

Portrait of a Woman in a White Dress — before conservation — Painting conservation
Portrait of a Woman in a White Dress

St Francis of Assisi — after conservation — Painting conservation
St Francis of Assisi

St Francis of Assisi — before conservation — Painting conservation
St Francis of Assisi

St Isidore the Farmer — after conservation — Painting conservation
St Isidore the Farmer

St Isidore the Farmer — before conservation — Painting conservation
St Isidore the Farmer

St Isidore the Farmer, Holy Trinity Church in Będzin — after conservation — Painting conservation
St Isidore the Farmer, Holy Trinity Church in Będzin

St Isidore the Farmer, Holy Trinity Church in Będzin — before conservation — Painting conservation
St Isidore the Farmer, Holy Trinity Church in Będzin

Scope

What I conserve

Paintings

Conservation of easel paintings — oil, tempera and watercolour. Cleaning, lining, filling of losses, retouching.

Sculpture

Conservation of polychrome and gilded wooden sculpture. Structural consolidation, reconstruction of the paint layer.

Architectural elements

Conservation and restoration of architectural details — stucco, wall polychromy, altar elements.

Stages

How the conservation process works

1. Examination and documentation

I assess the condition of the object, document the damage photographically and draw up a programme of conservation treatment.

2. Quote and schedule

Based on this documentation, I prepare a quote and an estimated completion time.

3. Conservation treatment

I carry out the conservation treatment in line with the agreed programme, documenting every stage of the work.

4. Handover and recommendations

I return the finished object together with the conservation documentation and recommendations for its future care.

Before you get in touch

Frequently asked questions about conservation

Key information about the scope of the work and the conservation process.

What kinds of objects can the studio conserve?

The studio conserves oil, tempera and watercolour paintings, wall paintings, polychrome and gilded wooden sculptures, and architectural elements. View the conservation gallery — before and after →

How do I enquire about conservation?

Briefly describe the object. The form prepares an e-mail to which you can attach photographs of the whole object and close-ups of any visible damage.

How are conservation methods selected?

Methods and materials are selected individually after analysing the support, the technique used, the paint layers and the condition of the work.

What does the conservation process involve?

It includes examination and documentation, preparation of a quote and schedule, the conservation treatment itself, and handover with care recommendations.

What treatments may be carried out on a painting?

The work may include cleaning, lining, filling losses and retouching. The choice of treatments depends on the individual object.

Is the work documented?

Yes. Damage is photographed, and every stage of the work is documented.

What do I receive when conservation is complete?

The finished object is returned with conservation documentation and recommendations for its future care.

Does your work of art need conservation?

Get in touch — I will carry out an initial examination and prepare a quote.

Request an initial assessment

Conservation and Restoration of Paintings and Works of Art