CONSERVATION AND CONSOLIDATION WORKS OF PAINTED CEILING

Cliveden Conservation was commissioned by Stowe School to undertake essential conservation and consolidation works within the painted ceiling of the Menagerie at Stowe.

The Menagerie, built as an outbuilding in 1781, is thought to have been designed by Vincenzo Valdrè as a retreat for the Marquess of Buckingham’s wife, and was first used as a “natural museum” by the first Duke. The decorative wall painting of the dome ceiling is attributed to Valdrè. The Menagerie is now used by Stowe School as the school shop.

Conservation Work Undertaken 

Cliveden Conservation was first consulted in 2021 to survey the painted dome and provide treatment recommendations. Following this assessment, Stowe School commissioned a programme of conservation work in 2024.

The survey showed that there had been no obvious previous conservation works to the plaster substrate. However, as work progressed, it became apparent to the conservation team that the painted decoration had been subject to previous interventions, most likely to redefine faded areas or overpaint areas of loss caused by water ingress or condensation. There were at least three periods of overpainting found, each of differing technical and aesthetic quality.

The deterioration to the plasterwork and painted areas included cracking, detached intonaco and paint loss, mostly in areas of water damage. There had been ongoing issues with the copper roof which had led to water ingress.

During the survey, conservators introduced facing up and fixings to the areas of most concern while external contractors were repairing the roof.

The second phase of the project created an interesting discussion as to whether to conserve the layers of overpaint or reveal the original painting by removing all or some of the overpainting. The overpainting both modified and disfigured the original paint scheme, for example, altering the spacing between the trellis slats and applying leaves of different forms to the original painting.

The decision was taken to remove areas of overpaint where it was known that the original scheme was still in good condition. This was achieved using a number of methods, including swab and sponge cleaning, poultices and mechanical methods.

The treatment also included stain removal, crack filling, paint and plaster consolidation and careful retouching to reintegrate losses and give the ceiling a unified appearance

Results

The removal of the overpainting by conservators revealed the majority of the 19th-century paint scheme, as well as some elements of the original 18th-century scheme. Uncovering aspects of the original design such as the brown trellis slats has increased the depth of field within the painting, significantly improving the visual aesthetic. The other aspects of treatment mean the painting is now in a stable condition.