Beeswax in the structure of easel painting. Challenges of conservation

The article describes various reasons for the presence of natural beeswax in the structure of an easel painting. This can happen when wax is part of the author's painting technique and when it is a material introduced into the works during the conservation process. In the first case, natural beeswax can act as the main ingredient of a binding medium of the paint layer (encaustic) or be one of the miner components of the medium, helping to provide such properties as matte appearance and pastosity to the painting. The problems of restoration of such works and approaches to solving them are described. In particular, an unusual experience in the conservation of a still life by P.P. Konchalovsky, made with wax as a component of the binding medium of paint layer, is presented. Article describes the problems of state condition of the artwork, the physical and chemical investigations that were carried out and the technique for treatment of the painting, selected basing on the individual characteristics of the painting. The presence of wax in a painting as a restoration material (separately or as part of a wax-resin mastic) can be a significant obstacle to retreating the artworks. Based on practical knowledge and their own methods, The State Research Institute for Restoration employees in 2020-2021 carried out research to study and compare various techniques and materials used in Russian and foreign practice for extracting wax and wax-resin adhesives from textile supports of paintings. The research results are briefly presented in the article