At ArtCare Conservation, surface cleaning and varnish reduction form a central part of many painting treatments. While often routine in principle, certain works present a more complex set of challenges—particularly where thin glazes, solvent-sensitive passages, and highly refined surfaces are involved. In these cases, the balance between effective cleaning and preservation becomes particularly critical.
To address these conditions, we have incorporated the use of Evolon CR as a controlled solvent delivery system within selected treatments. Rather than relying on direct mechanical action, Evolon allows for a more measured and passive approach, moderating both solvent exposure and interaction with the paint surface.
Evolon CR is a non-woven microfiber material composed of polyester and polyamide filaments. Its microstructure enables it to retain and gradually release solvent, while simultaneously drawing dissolved materials away from the surface through capillary action. In practice, this allows for a controlled softening and reduction of degraded coatings with minimal disruption to underlying layers.
This approach has proven particularly effective in the treatment of works by Salvador Dalí, whose paintings often rely on finely layered glazes and exceptionally smooth, sensitive surfaces. Over time, the natural resin coatings applied to such works can yellow, blanch, or accumulate unevenly, compromising both visual clarity and structural behaviour. Their removal, however, must be approached with considerable restraint.
In the winter of 2026, two Dalí paintings— Disintegration of the Persistence of Memory (1932) and Suez (1932)—were treated at our studio. While differing in condition, both presented the same underlying challenge: the need to reduce degraded surface coatings without disturbing delicate original paint layers.
Disintegration of the Persistence of Memory exhibited a hazy, discoloured varnish with areas of fine cracking. Examination and testing confirmed that the coating had reached the end of its functional life and required removal. At the same time, certain glazed passages within the composition proved more sensitive to solvent than others, ruling out a uniform cleaning approach.
A selective treatment strategy was therefore adopted. Evolon CR was cut to correspond precisely with compositional elements and applied in controlled sections. Lightly loaded with solvent and placed onto the surface for carefully timed intervals, the material allowed the varnish to soften and lift without the need for direct mechanical action. This approach enabled a consistent reduction across the surface while preserving more vulnerable passages that would have been at greater risk under conventional methods.
In Suez, the condition was more complex. The varnish had yellowed significantly, flattening tonal depth and obscuring Dalí’s characteristic glazing. In addition, earlier restoration campaigns had left discoloured reintegration that had become visually intrusive. Structurally, the painting exhibited undulations at the corners, likely exacerbated by the rigidity of a heavily applied coating layer.
Ultraviolet examination also revealed evidence of earlier over-cleaning, with exposed ground visible along the peaks of the canvas weave. This confirmed that both the paint and glaze layers were exceptionally thin and required a highly controlled approach.
As with Disintegration of the Persistence of Memory, Evolon CR was used to reduce the surface coatings in stages. Applications were carried out in carefully defined sections, with exposure times adjusted to allow gradual reduction while maintaining control over solvent activity. By working incrementally, it was possible to address both the degraded varnish and earlier restoration materials without introducing further disruption to the original surface.
In both cases, the aged coatings were successfully reduced, improving clarity, restoring tonal balance, and allowing the paintings to be read more accurately. Just as importantly, this was achieved without compromising the integrity of Dalí’s delicate paint structures.
These treatments reflect a broader shift in approach within conservation—away from reliance on mechanical action and toward more controlled, material-led methods. Evolon CR is not a universal solution, but where conditions demand precision and restraint, it offers a valuable means of reducing risk while maintaining effectiveness.
