125 The painting „Death of St Joseph“ cleaned with a dry and clean Evo‐ lon tissue. Leftover residues were removed with microfiber cloth and acetone. The result was satisfactory, although blanching occurred in the darker areas. To avoid this, the solvent and application method were modified. A microfibre cloth was moistened with a mixture of isopropanol and isooctane (9/1) and rubbed over the varnish surface with the fingertip. The solvents reactivated and softened the varnish. Immediately after applying the solvent, the surface was rubbed with an Evolon tissue in several passes to absorb the solvent and remove the dissolved varnish. This method worked quite well and was therefore used to remove the whole varnish (Fig. 197, 198). Additionally, this method additionally removed overpaints on top of the varnish, as well as some of the overpaints underneath. Stubborn rests of overpaints were removed with dimethylsulfoxid. Structural conservation of canvas and strainer Taking into consideration that a mounting system with wooden pegs is rarely preserved, it was decided that the original mounting should be preserved as far as possible. Only the vertical tacking margins, where iron nails had been introduced during resizing of the painting at the beginning of 19th-century, were demounted.82 Partial strip lining and treatment of tears and holes in the canvas The existing mounting holes on the tacking margins of the canvas were reinforced to ensure sufficient stability for the upcoming mounting. The Fig. 198: After removing the varnish
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