Senate art restoration project offers insight into painters’ original vision

Five portraits normally housed in Centre Block have been restored to their original lustre. 'It requires an understanding of our history and how artists work. It is also very scientific,' says Sen. Patricia Bovey.

A conservator is pictured working on one of the five portraits of early Senate Speakers and legislative councils that were restored during the 2020-21 fiscal year. Part of the thrill of the work a conservator does is uncovering the original brushwork done by the painter and seeing what is revealed underneath all the restoration work done in the past by amateur artists, says David Legris. Photograph courtesy of Legris Conservation

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BY Zainab Al-Mehdar

July 28, 2021

After surviving fires, amateur restorations, and the passage of time, five Senate portraits that went under the magnifying glass for restoration have revealed new details previously hidden to the naked eye. “We had identifie...

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