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A wide variety of paintings are treated and conserved by our conservators at CIACH. These range from paintings done using ancient techniques to modern paintings made using non-traditional materials. The mediums used range from oil and acrylic to water colour or egg tempera and sometimes even encaustic. Their supports made of materials like fabric, wood panel, paper etc, may also require to be conserved and treated. Restoring paintings may include cleaning of the painting, lining, consolidation, retouching of pigments, mending tears and other treatments based on intensity and type of damage.

We have dealt with the conservation and restoration of various famous paintings and murals. Variable range of services is available for the treatment and conservation of paintings. Assessment of the painting is done in our fully equipped laboratory. We also do on-site assessment of environmental settings, especially for mural paintings, including that of climate control, security and fire systems. Imaging techniques are made use of in order to understand mediums used and the pigments and artists’ techniques. This also helps in revealing the condition issues of the painting.

M.N. MANIKANDAN, the be-all, and end-all of CIACH began his journey in the field of conservation and restoration in the year 1980. His vast and inspiring experience spanning over 30 years in the field of Painting,Objects of Art, and Monumental Conservation, has been integral in the establishment and growth of CIACH

Sculptures & metal objects

Various forms of Sculptures made from different types of stones or terracotta or other metal sculptures like Bronze, Copper, Iron structures are conserved by the conservators of CIACH lab.

Textiles & Craft

Textile conservation department works on various textile materials including flags, costumes, banners and contemporary fiber art pieces

Paper & manuscripts

Various paper-based materials including watercolours, drawings, illuminated manuscripts, prints etc., are treated and conserved by our conservators. Many archival materials including maps, documents, books are also preserved here.

Craft & Wooden Structures

There are various objects for treatment such as glass, plastic, stone, metal, ceramic and other organic substances like wood, leather, feather and basketry.

Oil Paintings

A fascinating way to witness the stories of yesteryears, oil paintings are attractive for their delicate beauty and are relatively very costly being the preferred medium by many prominent artists.

Miniature Paintings

Painted using vivid colours and precise lines, miniature paintings focused on colour and utmost detailing over shading and realistic perspective, drawing the viewer’s eye to the apparent two-dimensionality of the painting.

Thangka Paintings

Having originated in the 7th century in Nepal, Thangka paintings were initially used by Lamas or teachers to aid in teaching their disciples about Buddha’s life and teachings, and thus are considered as a form of religious art.

Madhubani Paintings

Named after a city in Bihar, India, where it originated, Madhubani paintings are characterized by figures with pointed noses and bulging eyes and are a depiction of the harmony between humans and nature.

Warli Paintings

Bearing a close resemblance to cave paintings, Warli paintings are composed of simple strokes in seemingly geometric patterns rhythmically depicting daily and social events with figures of human beings and animals.

Mural Paintings

Many of the early classic civilizations around the world have employed Mural paintings in their temples, tombs, and palaces and are still being used widely as a form of thought-provoking art in various places such as churches, mosques, and other community spaces and institutions.

Acrylic/ Watercolour

Frozen in a moment of feelings, thoughts, and memories, with bright, saturated hues, these paintings seize the eyes of a beholder as in a dream.

Pichwai Paintings

Like the famous Thangka paintings, Pichwai Paintings originated in the desert city of Rajasthan, India, and are a vibrant dedication to the life of Lord Krishna.

Modern Paintings

Modern paintings brought about a revolutionary change to art, breaking the illusions and preconceived notions of how art was to be perceived and depicted.

Kalamkari Paintings

Kalamkari etches the Indian culture and heritage in colourful hues onto fabric in a tamarind pen, using natural dyes.

Tanjore Paintings

Locally known as PalagaiPadam (‘Palagai’ meaning wooden plank, ‘Padam’ meaning picture), in Tanjore, Tamilnadu, India, where it originated as it was the original application method, although they later adapted this art onto fabric, Tanjore Paintings were inspired by the art of 16th century India and is a celebration of the region’s rich artistic traditions.

Pattachitra Paintings

An old art form native to Odisha, India, Pattachitra paintings uses rich and colourful hues to depict religious themes such as ThiaBadhia, Krishna Lila, Dasabatara Patti, and Panchamukhi.