This portrait depicts artist’s father posing before an official portrait of Zhu De, an early revolutionary thought to be the China’s Red Army’s founder.
Prior to its conservation the work was examined to gather as much information as possible regarding its physical history. Some technical elements raised interest, as they did not seem to relate to the visible composition.
Thus, it was decided to use infrared reflectography to look beyond the visible layers of paint. By using the infrared spectrum, conservators and scientists are able to study an image deeper through its layer, and study characteristics such as underdrawings or pigments used.
Using the Osiris camera, infrared images of the painting were taken. Also called reflectograms, the images revealed the presence of a former composition underneath the current one. A portrait of a woman is clearly visible and had been almost fully executed before the artist decided to change the subject of his painting.
Artists are known for re-using canvasses, whether of their own or of others. Being aware of such a compositional change allows conservators to further the understanding of the technical practices of a particular painter or group of artists. It is also a crucial tool for a conservation treatment rationale. The presence of many layers of paint, varying in thickness and nature, such as in the present work, will affect the decisions made and materials chosen to conduct interventions.
Liu Wei, Revolutionary family series, 1991, mixed media on canvas, private collection.