Conservation work that was considered impossible now reveals new details of a celebrated night scene by James McNeill Whistler. Take a closer look alongside conservator Gabriella Macaro, as she tests paint solutions and reveals the scientific processes that allowed this breakthrough.
00:00 – Intro to Whistler’s Nocturnes
00:15 – Nocturne: Black and Gold – The Fire Wheel (1875)
00:31 – Newly visible details
01:05 – Conservation challenge and new method
01:55 – Scientific examination of paintings and pigments
02:27 – Testing paint for The Fire Wheel’s ground layer
04:18 – Before and after
04:28 – Retouching
05:08 – Whistler’s letters
See this painting and more masterpieces by Whistler in the new survey of his work, open at Tate Britain until 27 September 2026: https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/whistler
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