Wesley painting rediscovered and restored

Lost for more than twenty years, Frank Wesley's painting, 'Jesus Healing the Sick' was rediscovered in the attic of the Landour Community Hospital (LCH) in October, 2008. This important work of art was commissioned for the hospital in the early 1970s, during Wesley's four-year tenure at Woodstock.

The oil on hardboard painting, measuring 125 x 184 centimetres, depicts an image of Jesus in an Indian village setting, ministering to the sick and needy. The rediscovered painting suffered severe damage during storage and was handed over by LCH to Woodstock School last year. In February 2009, the painting was sent to the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) in New Delhi for restoration. Upon examination by INTACH, it was revealed that the hard board of the painting had a large bulge on the top right edge and a triangular dent at the centre, as well as several perforations. Furthermore, the paint was covered with a thick layer of dust and mildew. The painting had several other stains, such as coffee and tea drip marks, stains of betel leaf, and lime deposits from whitewash. The painting had also lost its original bright colours and suffered from abrasions and scratches.

To restore this precious work of art, INTACH took several steps over the course of four months of restoration. The painting was given an overall chemical cleaning in order to remove the thick dust and dirt deposits, stains and discoloured varnish. The hardboard was flattened in order to remove the bulged edge on the right top, and was re-attached to a wooden frame. The losses and abrasions in the paint layer were filled and touched up to maintain visual harmony. Finally, an overall coating of a non-yellowing polymer was applied, which will protect the painting from future deterioration. Restoration was paid for by the 2008-09 Annual Fund, with donations from alumni.

Frank Wesley's painting was finally returned to the school on December 7, 2009, and has been put on display in the Vera Marley Library. INTACH will send a team to Woodstock in April, 2010 to conduct a workshop with art and science students on restoration methods and techniques.