The Regency Gent - Saving a failed restoration Part 5

In this episode we complete the final clean includng the mechanical removal of fused paint layers. We apply a conservation soap and begin to retouch the portrait. We also try and decipher what is left of the signature and do some further research on artists of the time.
If you would like to see more exclusive content and ad free full format videos please visit my Patreon page and consider supporting the channel:
/ bloomfieldartrestoration
or you can support the channel with a one off donation on buy me a coffee
www.buymeacoffee.com/bloomfie...
#paintingrestoration #artrestoration #artrestorer #artconservation

[@lindalowe5592]

I really enjoyed watching the transformation of this painting as it really was bonfire-worthy before you got it. You have incredible skill and patience and I was very interested when you got to the retouching part. It would be so tempting to overpaint the whole thing instead of respecting what remains of the original after its abuse and just touch up dot by dot. I have to admit when you took your first swab with solvent on the painting for the first clean, I was holding my breath and almost expecting an “oh shit” moment but you didn’t ruin it. 😊. Well done.

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

Thank you ! glad you are enjoying the series, yes little by little with this one and it will begin to come back together!

[@thelamandapanda]

He's gone from Cousin Collins to Mr. Darcy 😂

[@fibienn250]

More like Collins to Captain Wentworth 😂

[@MollySato]

Yes!!! Exactly!! 🤗😁🤗

[@marcusandersson...]

At 26:46 "...was eventually persuaded by her son to leave it and have it properly cleaned at some time in the future". Wow, this is actually referring to you. You are are the person who properly cleaned it some time in the (very distant) future. What an amazing thing to be linked to the past in this way. Great series, I really enjoyed it 😊

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

Thank you and yes I suppose your right! it took a while though, I'm happy that we have found the original portrait and it was pretty much intact although a little worse for wear! retouching this week and then he'll be good fr another 200 years!

[@judithstuart9631]

Nice change from Baumgartner! Thanks, Algorithm. 😊

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

You're welcome!

[@colleenkidwell5820]

I think the signature is J R Smith (John Raphael Smith). He did work in oils and the time period would fit. He died in 1812, so his being ill would fit as well.

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

I sort of think this too , his style is similar and he fits the dates, the only thing is he seems to be more of a pastellist rather than using oils. However his dates fit the family story and he was working an awful lot in society..

[@GlennTillema]

I love how this restoration went from a pictures of "momma's chunky boy posing for a soup label" to "respected world weary english gentleman."

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

Yes it is a massive transformation, I think he does look a little jaded or maybe just a stormy disposition...

[@lynnedelacy2841]

World weary is a good description

[@Vimby233]

I would happily watch an hour of just retouching with just ambient sound. No problem at all. No music or editing needed.

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

I’ll remember that and upload something for you

[@mollysheridan7134]

It just blows me away how Williams turned this handsome man into a caricature.

[@wendymorrison5803]

Enthusiastic amateurs. 😡

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

It does happen more than you’d think …

[@cherryllcooper679]

Loving the longer vids. The shorts are probably a great way to raise interest, but I always look forward to the longer formats.

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

Thank you , yes the shorts are great for attracting knew viewers.

[@andrzejklikowski4192]

Thank you for another long episode, I hope there will be more of them in the future. know that editing them takes up a lot of your private time, but I think that I'm not the only one who finds long episodes more enjoyable I wish you have a nice day.

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

Thank you glad you enjoyed it!

[@kathharper]

Your retouching is appropriately delicate and so well done. I also really enjoy hearing more of the painting's story along with your research and speculation about its painter. The serial nature of your videos gives us a more realistic idea of what it's like actually doing a painting restoration, and at a more realistic pace than most of the other KZbin restoration videos. Great work - and I'm anticipating the next part!

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you are enjoying the series, retouching this week so hopefully have more progress soon

[@exciting-burp6613]

Try converting your photograph of the signature to the Lab color space (instead of RGB). Lab is based on eye cone biology, so you might be able to discern more by emphasizing L, a, or b. Yuv is another biological color space that might help. Photoshop supports both if I recall correctly.

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

Thank you ill give it a go...

[@lindsaymccoll8450]

So glad there’s another video on this gent. And what great history of the painting.

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

Glad you enjoyed it, more to come

[@frozenfeather13]

This is turning out so good. When I first saw it I thought it was just a mediocre sort of ugly portrait. But now his facial features are gorgeous and so interesting. You're very talented. I don't usually comment but I was just thinking today I really enjoy your videos. I appreciate the effort you put into them to share this beautiful art with us. You're very skilled and I love just watching you work. Also helps that you have a very nice voice and you're pretty attractive. All adds up to be an enjoyable part of my week seeing your video. So thank you

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

Thank you ! glad your enjoying them !

[@mark314158]

For the signature - make a RAW image of the area and bring that into Photoshop - for maximum dynamic range. Then work with Levels and the usual filters etc. Also try making an HDR image. And using directional lighting (left, right, top, bottom) and working or combining these images. An infinite amount of messing around is possible...😀

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

I’m going to try the directional lighting ! Forgot about that !! Thank you

[@kayleencovert1791]

The change from the beginning to now is amazing. Thank you for sharing the entire process through all of the videos. Some other paintings I have watched are shortened down. And made to a small video. Having this much care into the project but also allowing us to witness every part is something spectacular.

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

Thank you so much I'm glad you are enjoying the series

[@kathycarlson7947]

Brilliant! Those "eye dots" were bothersome, so I'm eager to see the finished work on them. He's looking mighty handsome now--and even though his story is sad, I am grateful to learn more about him. Kudos!

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

Thank you , yes they were bugging me for weeks and I just knew that they weren't right!

[@a-complished4406]

What a handsome chap 😊

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

He is getting there !!!

[@markneary1889]

Outstanding work. You could do with the assistance of one of the museums with their battery of scanners and non-visible light cameras to assist with the signature conundrum.

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

I know - I think my client is planning to take it to the National Portrait Gallery once completed so hopefully they may be able to help...

[@Hertog_von_Berkshire]

Dotting in the blemishes - very satisfying. Something I've done in Photoshop many times but never in a real painting.

[@jeanniehorn1500]

Does anyone else hold their breath as he starts retouching?

[@jugheadjones5458]

Relaxing to listen to you. It’s looking great. Looking forward to the rest! Thank you.

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

Thank you

[@behall464]

I so enjoy your channel. This is the most remarkable transformation of an overpainted portrait I've seen! Your warm welcome into your world is like visiting a good friend. You let us follow your research, thoughts and even asking if we might have any thoughts. Today's updated history expands the journey even more. Thank You for bringing us along your journey through restoration and history.

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate your comment. I'm enjoying looking into the history more and more and sharing what I find! it is certainly a journey!!

[@skitzochik]

Mr. Williamson made this gentleman look exactly like Liberace (the flamboyant pianist)

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

Ha! Mr Williamson has a lot to answer to!

[@skitzochik]

@@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration indeed

[@m.inthedesert7134]

My goodness, The Regency Gent has turned into a handsome man! That five o'clock shadow is quite sexy. Thank you for showing your work in so much detail. It's been very enjoyable

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

Thank you glad your enjoying the series

[@lornaperryman489]

You must have the patience of Job! I'd go crazy trying to retouch and restore paintings even though I really enjoy watching you work. I learn something new every time I watch one of your videos. Thank you so much for sharing.😊

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

Thank you very much! I'm glad you are enjoying the process

[@adamseckel7480]

William Beechey has a really distinctive flourish in his signature where the B extends under the W much like what’s happening here. Also painted Nelson and the Prince Regent.

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

I think the style of Beechey is very similar, but maybe more accomplished than this one...

[@michelemenditto8405]

I always enjoy your restorations! Bravo.

[@marileestetson737]

Love your technique 😊

[@bluewolf7572]

Cannot wait for the next installment!

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

Thank you , retouching this week so hopefully be available soon

[@nickimontie]

I can't wait to see the finale!

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

coming soon, retouching all this week

[@PINTandDALE]

Good solid progress -- looking SO much better.

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

Thank you ! yes he is getting there! the retouching should really no begin to put him back together and make him whole again...

[@favouritemoon4133]

Lovely video. Very fine pinpoint work on the face.

[@walton909]

Really enjoying your commentary. Thanks for all your hard work

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

Glad you enjoy it! thank you for watching

[@nomenome4747]

Longer the better

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

Thank you

[@m.inthedesert7134]

If James Sant wasn't born in 1820 it would be tempting to think it was his name on this painting.

[@griseldis]

I know it doesn't fit the legend of the family, but the style reminds me a little of the painter Joseph Willibrord Mähler, who painted some pretty famous pictures, for example of Beethoven. I don't know if he was ever in England and for what reason he might have painted this gentleman. At the time of the painting, he was not an old man either, but the style, if you look at the painting of Salieri, for example, looks quite similar to me. For example, the eyes, the shadow of the beard, or even the buttons. But maybe it's just because this kind of portraits were probably painted similarly everywhere in Europe, the fashion for example was the same everywhere. It's really difficult to say.

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

I see what you mean, similar in background and the dates work, I'm just not sure their paths would have met...

[@griseldis]

Exactly, unfortunately you can't ask anyone anymore.

[@lynnedelacy2841]

Love the angle of that button !

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

Its great isn't it these are the details that just bring a painting to life for me

[@s.h.741]

Ah, I've been waiting for the fifth part!

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

Hope you enjoyed it

[@WarrenFahyAuthor]

Finesse!

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

Thank you

[@equitime77]

He's looking full of character now. Almost as if he could walk off the painting into real life

[@TheGar1968]

Epic

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

Thank you !!!

[@andrewalt6060]

It’s a great story, you always wonder how much is true

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

I know , Id like to think that a lot of this is true and if not 100% pretty close. I think the basis of the condition would lend itself to how its certainly been cared for...

[@pinkerbot]

What a wonderful transformation! Is there remains of the chubby cheek the overpainter added on his left side?

[@janegreen9340]

Wouldn’t you love to have a chat with Mr Williamson and just ask him “why…?”

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

I’d take him for a pint and just say now where do you think you should have stopped !!

[@lesleystratton2635]

Fascinating to watch you bring the Gentleman back to life, but as I look at the right side of the jaw and down onto the neck there seems to be a heavy, unnatural shape, almost as if there is still over-painting or possibly too heavy a shadow with a heavy outline, is this something you have noticed?

[@SarahBoyd002]

I see this too

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

Yes in that area he has somewhat of a double chin forming and I think some of the shadow does look heavy, I will be able to tell better once I start retouching that area and taking a closer look

[@lesleystratton2635]

@@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration I look forward to seeing the end result, he has the look of Heathcliffe to me.

[@oh-donut]

Thanks for telling the history of the painting. Have you contacted the National Portrait Gallery. Hoppner sounds logical. It looks like the signature is J Sant, but the J Sant who was a portrait painter was born in 1820. You are doing a great job!

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

Thank you , I think my client had contacted them and may be taking it to them once complete, and yes J.Sant may well be out of the running as the dates are too late...

[@margefield8520]

Your work is masterful and a pleasure to watch. Are you sure you are not related to this man yourself? There are similarities albeit you are slimmer and more handsome.😉😊

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

😊

[@aidenkenny3169]

My suggestion is Henry Bone or William Beechey. Thinking that the first letter is an H??? Portraitists of the period. What do you think? Both painted the Prince Regent.

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

I can see the similarity in style with Beechey, Ive not heard of Henry Bone I'll have a look, thanks for getting in touch

[@user-sy9im5pn6o]

I can't wait to see more!

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

More to come and some interesting revelations

[@AMADEUSEXMAKINA]

James Sant 1820-1916; The date could be 1870

[@AMADEUSEXMAKINA]

Could be a portrait of Charles Dodgson a.k.a Lewis Carroll 1832-1898 when he was 38 years old by portraitist James Sant 1820-1916 in 1870

[@pinkerbot]

I don't think there is question of who the portrait is of...

[@AMADEUSEXMAKINA]

@@pinkerbot the signature on the wood in the back looks like lewis carroll's

[@tracygee]

I think that last name on the signature definitely looks like Smith.

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

I’m considering this also 🤔

[@Speireata4]

For me, before you put your dots, the signature looked something like "W.SAnTS or J.SAnTS. The First letter could also be a U, maybe.

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

Interesting I’ll take another look

[@SarahBoyd002]

First letter looks like an M or B to me, especially through the first few filters. M or B SATT (even a possible Z and on end)

[@hewsimons7051]

The work you have done great. I do have a question, is the background something like a stormy sky or does it just not show well on KZbin? If it’s stormy it really adds to the image of the gent.

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

I think it is a stormy background and as you say this seems to match somewhat the temperament of the sitter !

[@janeteholmes]

John Hoppner seems a pretty good fit. Some of his sky backgrounds are just like this one. Cheery blue patches along with moody grey patches in what looks like the same colours. His portraits of the Sackville children, Elizabeth Sophia Baillie, and Princess Mary look to have very similar skies to me. I think J Hoppner is consistent with the remains of the signature as well. Many of Hoppner’s portraits of gentlemen seem very like Mr Lloyd too. Especially Capt. Henry Blackwood, Sir Thomas Strange, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, and Major General Sir Henry Willoughby Rooke.

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

His backgrounds certainly fit and do have that moody, stprmy look to them with a splash of blue. I just wonder if he is a little too early awhen I look at the paintings they do have a lot of wig action and perhaps this painting is slightly later ...there is one of William Ord (1781-1855) on Art UK that has the same dress though...

[@sanaawedding2292]

Riveting. A name which springs to mind is Sir John Watson Gordon...? An early work of his opus?

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

I can see the similarities it would have to be an early one of his, but yes very similar style and technique..

[@scorpioplm]

One angle to look at re the artist is quite often the same artist also painted other members of the family so....

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

We are currently looking at other paintings in the family collection that were sold …thank you for your comment

[@janwhitworth7895]

Do a picture search in Google.

[@DrWhom]

prevalent is stressed on the first syllable, with the e of less, illogical as that may seem

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

I knew I'd got it wrong sometimes when I'm narrating I can hear my brain working and things seem to slow down mid word! Thanks for your comment though I imagined it spoken in a Mary Poppins style voice!

[@charwells3243]

Could that be a B, maybe Brent.

[@stevebrooks4th]

Hoppner seems not to have signed many of his paintings, if any.

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

I'm just googling around and have found one image of a signature the J is similar ....but nothing else so far...I wish all artist would sign their work at least twice!!

[@austin12ascot]

Please don't be offended, but, there's not enough retouching shown. You must spend hours retouching, so, just set up the camera and let us watch. You don't even need to do a running commentary.

[@Bloomfield_Art_Restoration]

More retouching in the final part coming soon

[@KrisRyanStallard]

Your microphone in the voice over is a little too close to your mouth. Love the video otherwise!