Conservation of marouflage paintings in the Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall

A detailed condition assessment was undertaken prior to treatment. The marouflage paintings and decorative friezes exhibited water-related staining and surface soiling resulting from water ingress into the Hall of Remembrance.

During preliminary cleaning tests, areas of paint abrasion became apparent. Examination indicated that these abrasions were not directly caused by the recent water damage but were the result of excessive cleaning during a previous conservation campaign, which had reduced the thickness of the original paint layer in certain areas.

The water ingress and associated surface contamination had accentuated the visibility of these pre-existing abrasions. Despite the effects of water ingress, the paint layers were found to be stable, with no active flaking, lifting, blistering or detachment observed, so no consolidation treatment was required.

Treatment commenced with full photographic documentation and condition recording of all affected areas.

Surface cleaning was undertaken using a conservation-grade pH-neutral soap at a 5% concentration in odourless mineral spirits (OMS), applied in a controlled manner to remove accumulated surface dirt, grime and residues associated with the water damage incident. Particular care was exercised in areas where previous over-cleaning had weakened the original paint surface.

Following cleaning and assessment, areas of paint abrasion were evaluated for their visual impact and suitability for retouching. Visual reintegration was undertaken selectively and only where losses disrupted the legibility and aesthetic unity of the compositions. Not all abrasions were treated; some were intentionally left visible to preserve evidence of the artworks' conservation history.

Inpainting was undertaken using Paraloid B-72 prepared as a 20% (w/v) solution in a 1:1 mixture of acetone and industrial methylated spirits (IMS), combined with conservation-grade pigments. Retouching was carried out using glazing, tratteggio and punteggio techniques so that intervention remains distinguishable upon close examination.

The conservation treatment successfully removed surface contamination associated with the water damage incident and improved the overall legibility of the marouflage paintings and decorative friezes.

The treatment also revealed and documented evidence of historic over-cleaning, which had caused abrasion and thinning of the original paint layers in several locations. Through careful cleaning and selective visual reintegration, the visual impact of these abrasions was significantly reduced without compromising the authenticity of the original painted surfaces.

The combined use of glazing, tratteggio and punteggio techniques enabled the successful integration of selected losses while maintaining a clear distinction between original material and conservation intervention.

The conservation treatment programme successfully addressed the effects of water ingress affecting the two marouflage paintings and decorative friezes within the Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall.

Cleaning removed surface contamination and improved the legibility of the decorative scheme, while careful examination revealed evidence of abrasion resulting from a previous over-cleaning campaign. Selective visual reintegration using glazing, tratteggio and punteggio techniques reduced the visual impact of these abrasions while preserving the integrity and authenticity of the original painted surfaces.

All inpainting and retouching interventions were undertaken using reversible archival materials in accordance with current professional conservation standards. Report prepared by Silvano Cioci-Faux, Conservator at North West Murals Ltd, June 2026.