BONFILS ALBUMEN PRINTS
Treatment completed May 2023Photographer ········· Felix Bonfils
(French, 1831-1885)
Title ········· 104 Caire, Vue generale des pyramides; 105 Pyramides de Chéops et de Cheffren, le Sphynx et le temple de Chaffra; 1430 Scenes du marche a Boulac; 1382 Le Caire, Detail de la façade de la mosque Sultan Kalaoun; 1127 Caire, Jardin de l’Esbékieh
Year ······ c. 1876—1885
Medium ········· Albumen Prints
Dimensions (H x W): 8 ½ x 11 in. (22 x 28 cm.)
Owner ······· University of Pennsylvania Museum
Title ········· 104 Caire, Vue generale des pyramides; 105 Pyramides de Chéops et de Cheffren, le Sphynx et le temple de Chaffra; 1430 Scenes du marche a Boulac; 1382 Le Caire, Detail de la façade de la mosque Sultan Kalaoun; 1127 Caire, Jardin de l’Esbékieh
Year ······ c. 1876—1885
Medium ········· Albumen Prints
Dimensions (H x W): 8 ½ x 11 in. (22 x 28 cm.)
Owner ······· University of Pennsylvania Museum
Description
The five photographs are all albumen prints, unmounted, and without margins. The photographs are comprised of a toned silver image, albumen binder, and thin paper support. The
albumen prints were received in an archival polyester sleeve that is open along
the right and left edges. The images depicts various scene in Egypt, including the Giza pyramid complex, Sphinx, and the Garden of
Ezbekieh. Condition Assessment
Overall the
albumen prints are in fair condition due to overall image deterioration and
mechanical damage. Most significantly each print exhibits losses and creases and most also exhibit skinning on the verso. There is lifting,
folded, and loss of emulsion and paper fibers associated with all losses and
tears.
The photographs exhibit overall minor image fading, loss of detail in the image highlights,
moderate yellowing of the highlights, and fine cracking of the albumen binder.
There are minor abrasions and crescent creases scattered overall along with
minor tears. The prints exhibit darkening
along all edges and overall surface grime, recto and verso. The thin primary
supports are also in fair condition overall with moderate planar distortion and
curling.
1382 Le Caire, Detail de la façade de la mosque Sultan Kalaoun also has a
pressure-sensitive tape that extends the width of the print. The adhesive
is also securing a large tear on the upper left center of the print
Treatment Proposed
- Surface clean the recto and verso with soft brushes, microfiber cloth, polyurethane cosmetic sponges, and/or aqueous methods such as mild enzymatic solution.
- Consolidate areas of loss, emulsion lifting and cracking, and loose paper fibers using a solution of photographic grade gelatin in deionized water. Only areas of moderate to significant cracking will be consolidated, microcracking will not be addressed.
- Reduce accretions on verso of the print using mechanical methods or appropriate solvents.
- Support skinned areas on the verso with a remoistenable tissue activated with deionized water.
- Chamber humidify the print and dry flat in a hard-soft sandwich and place under weights.
- Mend tears and fill losses using paper of appropriate weight and texture adhered to the verso of the print using an appropriate adhesive.
- Integrate areas of loss through inpainting with watercolors over an isolating layer such as methylcellulose.
Treatment Photography
104 Caire, Vue generale des pyramides [Cairo, General view of the pyramids]
105 Pyramides de Chéops et de Cheffren, le Sphynx et le temple de Chaffra [Pyramids of Khufu and Khafre, the Sphinx and the temple of Chaffra]
1430 Scenes du marche a Boulac [Scenes in the market in Boulaq, Cairo]
1382 Le Caire, Detail de la façade de la mosque Sultan Kalaoun [Cairo, Detail of the façade of the Sultan Kalaoun Mosque]
1127 Caire, Jardin de l’Esbékieh [Cairo, Garden of Ezbekieh]
