Getty Conservators Restore Degas's Cloudy Self-Portrait, Revealing Hidden Glue and Pigment Secrets
The Facts
On August 20, 2026, the J. Paul Getty Museum announced that paintings conservator Devi Ormond has completed the conservation of Edgar Degas's "Self-Portrait" (about 1857–58), a small oil-on-paper work measuring roughly eight by six inches. Ormond noticed a blanched, cloudy surface in the varnish layer while walking through the galleries, prompting her to remove the painting for investigation. Using a mild solvent and warm water under high magnification, she removed layers of synthetic varnish and old glue residues that had caused the haziness. The work was also analyzed by Getty Conservation Institute scientists using macro-X-ray fluorescence scanning, which identified an iron-rich red layer along the bottom edge, likely a reddish-brown iron earth pigment, suggesting Degas may have painted over a larger sheet containing other studies.
The Signal
The conservation project sheds light on Degas's early experimental techniques and his use of self-portraiture as a means of exploring paint application and spatial relationships. The presence of pinholes in the corners indicates the work was pinned in his studio as a study rather than intended for sale, and it remained in the artist's estate until 1994. For collectors and curators, this case underscores the value of technical analysis in revealing an artist's working methods and the importance of conservation in preserving the integrity of works on paper. The Getty's investment in such research reinforces its role as a leader in art conservation, providing insights that can inform future studies of Degas's oeuvre.
- Artists: Edgar Degas
- People: Devi Ormond, Ulrich Birkmaier, Karen Trentelman, Thomas Boers
- Museums: J. Paul Getty Museum
- Locations: Los Angeles
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