Every artwork that enters our restoration studio in Cathays carries a story. Some pieces arrive as treasured family heirlooms, while others represent important parts of Welsh cultural history. One of these works was La Ruban Noir, a 1903 portrait by Edmund Van Someren. It reached us with serious damage that hid much of its elegance.
This case study explains how we restored the portrait for a Cardiff client and guides you through the full process.

Edmund Van Someren was an early 20th century British painter who often focused on refined and expressive portraiture. His work marked the shift from Victorian formality to a softer, more natural Edwardian style.

La Ruban Noir reflects this shift beautifully. The sitter appears in profile, wearing a white gown with a bold black ribbon that inspired the title. The brushwork is subtle and the colours are carefully balanced.

However, before restoration, the painting had lost much of its clarity because of accumulated dirt and a severe tear.

When the portrait arrived at our Malefant Street workshop, the damage stood out immediately. A long tear stretched across the sitter’s face and shoulder. The canvas edges were also weak, and they would not support re-stretching.

Because every restoration demands accuracy, we began with full documentation of the front and back. Afterwards, we carried out a small heat test to understand how previous materials would respond to treatment.

The first hands-on stage focused on cleaning. I brushed the reverse of the canvas to remove loose debris. Then I gently wiped the surface to lift dirt and dullness. As a result, the colours immediately brightened.

In addition, the skin tones of the sitter appeared warmer and more lifelike once the surface grime disappeared.

Because the original canvas had become brittle, I removed it from the stretcher and prepared it for relining. This step provides long-term strength and prevents future tearing.

I used Beva 371 film adhesive with a medium fine Belgian linen that closely matched the original texture. After securing the new lining, I placed a stabilising patch behind the tear.

Meanwhile, the painting gained the structural support it needed before we moved on to the visual repairs.

Once the canvas was stable, I rebuilt the missing paint using chalk putty. This stage demands precision, because the filler must sit at the correct height and match the surrounding texture.

At this point, the repaired area remained visible, but the surface was finally even and ready for colour reintegration.

Retouching brings the painting back to life. Using dry pigments mixed with varnish medium, I carefully matched Van Someren’s palette.

For example, I followed the cool undertones in the skin and the subtle shadows in the background. As a result, the restored areas blended into the original paint and the sitter’s expression returned.

In addition, this stage required close observation, because the goal was to support the artist’s work rather than replace it.

After the retouching was complete, I stretched the newly lined canvas onto a fresh stretcher bar. This step gave the artwork long-term stability and ensured even tension.

Therefore, the painting could now age safely and predictably.

To complete the restoration, I applied an anti UV gloss varnish. This varnish protected the surface, unified the finish and restored the richness of the colours.

In addition, I advised the client to keep the painting away from heat sources, because conservation materials react to high temperatures.

After treatment, La Ruban Noir regained its clarity and poise. The tear vanished, the colours brightened and the sitter’s delicate features became visible again.

The final images show a portrait that now stands strong for future generations.

This project shows how thoughtful conservation protects both artistic and historical value. If your artwork has suffered damage, or if you want a professional condition assessment, our Cathays studio provides restoration services across Cardiff and South Wales.

You are welcome to get in touch for advice or an appointment.

You can read more about our art restoration services here:
https://cgnf.co.uk/art-restoration-cardiff/