Introduction

Cleaning of the vault wall paintings at Basilica Santa Anastasia, in Verona, Italy.

About:

Sarah Yeomans Gafà graduated in 2010 from the University of Malta with a Bachelor’s degree in Conservation and Restoration Studies of Paintings and Polychrome Sculptures. She trained and studied within Heritage Malta's conservation laboratories. The subject of her dissertation treated the investigation of the original technique and condition of the wall paintings at the Entrance Hall of Verdala Palace, Buskett, which are attributed to the Florentine artist Filippo Paladini (1544-1614).

Sarah has been working as a conservator- restorer for the past six years and had the opportunity to work on a variety of polychromed works of art (as indicated below). In 2008, she was also involved in the conservation of the 15th century ceiling frescoes at Basilica di Santa Anastasia in Verona, Italy.

She has also studied Gilding techniques (oil, mordent and water gilding) at the Malta Society of Arts, Manufacture and Commerce, and at the Malta School of Art.

Based in Malta, Sarah is currently working as a freelance conservator- restorer. She had the opportunity to work on numerous works of art by prominent local and foreign artists, such as Mattia Preti (1613-1699), Enrico Regnaud (1692-1764), and Giuseppe Cali (1846-1930), among others.

She is also a member of MAPCo-Re - The Malta Association of Professional Conservator- Restorers, and of Din l-Art Helwa Youth Committee. 

Services:

The following services are offered:

• Condition assessment of works of art;
• Historical/ Art Historical Research;
• Scientific investigations using non-invasive analytical techniques such as raking light and ultra-violet fluorescence;
• Further scientific analysis of both a non-invasive and invasive nature are also an option, if required. These will occur in collaboration with an external science laboratory;
• Documentation of works of art photographically and graphically using AutoCAD;
• Conservation and restoration of antique to contemporary works of art including:

Wall paintings (frescoes, oil on stone, marouflage, etc.);

Canvas paintings (tempera/ oil/ acrylic);

Panel paintings (tempera/ oil/ acrylic);

Paintings on a metal support (copper, tin, brass, etc.);

Polychrome sculptures (wood, gesso, papier mâché, stone, terracotta, etc.)

• Conservation and Restoration of gilded artefacts, such as decorative surfaces and religious objects. Gilding in the missing parts is carried out using 23.5 carat gold leaf or genuine silver leaf, as required. This is carried out in the traditional techniques such as water (bole) gilding, oil or mordent gilding, as necessary. Rendering of silver using Shellac is also offered;
• Advice on preventive conservation measures, collections management and care. 

 
A gilded crucifix before and after the conservation- restoration treatments and re-gilding in parts.

Contact:

Mobile number: 00356 79291166

E-mail address: sarah.gafa@gmail.com