wood was replaced with inserts of linden wood to within 2–3 mm of the
ground. No obvious adverse reactions to consolidation or wood replace-
ment appeared after three years of observation. The apparent stability
may partly be due to poplar’s ability to accommodate stresses because of
its resilient, fibrous, low-density structure.
Intermittent areas of damaged sapwood also occurred along
some joints in the Mengs. Large wood losses had occurred at the bottom
left corner (viewed from the front) (Fig. 11a, b), and plasterlike fills had
been made, extending through the panel’s thickness.^32 The paint overlying
the surrounding damaged wood had blistered into foldlike undulations in
some areas. This damage was probably a result of compression from the
panel’s weight, possibly aggravated by setting and swelling of the wet
plaster. Despite these adverse effects, the plaster was strong and well
keyed. Its contact surface was well dispersed, which probably helped to
spread stresses.
Intermittent insect damage occurred over the remainder of the
panel, but in general this damage was not a serious structural threat and
required no treatment. However, the substantial loss at the bottom corner,
covering nearly one-third of the panel’s width, represented weakness in a
vulnerable area. Thinning had concentrated the entire panel weight onto a
narrower cross section, one-third of which was weakened by insect dam-
age. Some provision for added strength was considered necessary to pro-
vide adequate support and prevent further loss and damage to the large
area of paint overlying the damaged wood. Walnut inserts were fitted.^33Interactions of thinned panels and nonoriginal
auxiliary supportsObviously the Mengs was a heavy panel while still in its original state.
Display, handling, and transport called for adequate reinforcement.
Horizontal joints could be advantageous, since gravity would tend to keep
them together in compression. Standing vertically, however, destructive460 Brewer
Figure 11a, b
Anton Raphael Mengs,Noli Me Tangere. Top-
raking light shows an insect-damaged area in
the lower left corner of the front, surround-
ing a plaster fill. Note the undulations, proba-
bly from compressive strain from the panel’s
weight. The same area seen from the back (b)
in normal light.
a
b