Spoiled by damp
The Bedroom
During the restoration of The Bedroom, many cracks were found in the paint. In some places, paint had even flaked off. This damage took place during Van Gogh’s lifetime. When he returned to his studio after some time away, he found that his paintings had suffered water damage.
Van Gogh wrote to Theo that he had wrapped The Bedroom in newspaper because the paint was flaking. Under the microscope, the conservator found evidence that this was true: traces of newsprint in the paint.
Micrographs of newsprint letters in the paint in The bedroom.
Letter to Theo van Gogh, Arles, Tuesday 30 April 1889
Today I’m packing up a crate of paintings and studies. There’s one which is flaking, onto which I’ve stuck newspapers – it’s one of the best and I think that when you look at it you’ll see more clearly what my studio, now foundered, could have been. This study, as well as a few others, was spoiled by damp during my illness.
Letter to Theo van Gogh, Arles, Tuesday 30 April 1889.
The water from a flood rose up to a few feet from the house and, more importantly, when I came back water and saltpetre were oozing from the walls because the house had been without a fire during my absence.
Letter to Theo van Gogh, Arles, Tuesday 30 April 1889.
Explore the 8 phases of treatment of The Bedroom.
