A delaminating paint layer is not uncommon. There are many reasons for this, most of which have to do with too much moisture that either quickly or over time affects and lessens the bond of paint to substrate. In this particular case, the painting was housed for years on an island off the coast of Maine where extreme shifts in temperature and humidity were the likely culprits. What makes the conservation of this painting particularly challenging is the fact that it was painted on what is commonly known as artist’s board, a ready-made canvas on paperboard panel that is easy for the artist to carry and store. Unfortunately for the preservation of the fragile paint layer, the options for conservation are limited because the processes of re-adhering the paint can only be accessed by working from the front, and not through the back, which would have allowed for a more comprehensive treatment across the entire painting.

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