With more than 30 years of experience, Rachel Witt has conserved an extensive variety of paintings and decorative schemes for private collectors, museums, churches, stately homes and institutions in the UK and abroad. Her work spans both public and private sectors and includes artworks ranging from the medieval period to the present day. She has treated pieces by well-known artists as well as works of deep personal significance by lesser or unknown painters.
Working from her studio in Hastings, East Sussex, Rachel carries out detailed assessments of each artwork to recommend treatments that are effective, sympathetic and appropriately tailored to the client’s needs. Her expertise extends from addressing minor surface problems to undertaking complex conservation challenges, including the recovery of paintings severely damaged by fire or flood, pieces that may otherwise seem beyond repair.
Guided by ICON’s strict professional and ethical standards, she approaches every project with precision and care, whether safeguarding an important museum piece or restoring a treasured family heirloom.
In addition to practical treatments, Rachel conducts collection surveys to help clients prioritise urgent conservation needs and provides guidance on environmental management to support the safe display and long-term preservation of artworks.
Conservation and Restoration Treatments
After careful assessment of the artwork to determine the most appropriate treatment, work may include consolidating unstable paint, removing surface dirt from the front and back, improving canvas tension, using controlled heat and moisture to reduce distortions, repairing tears, removing aged varnish or overpaint, re-varnishing, filling, texturing, and retouching as needed.
When the turnover edge is significantly weakened, a strip lining might be necessary, A full or loose lining is considered for textiles that are severely degraded across the entire surface.
Photographs are taken before, during, and after treatment and comprehensive documentation and detailed reports are available on request.
Collection Surveys and Prioritising Work
Rachel has extensive experience in assessing large collections of paintings and determining which artworks require the most urgent attention.
She has worked with a range of templates and software systems to record condition data and can recommend or customise documentation formats to suit a client’s specific needs.
When appropriate and depending on the treatment required, some remedial work can be carried out in situ. However, artworks with complex structural issues or those requiring the use of significant quantities of solvents may need to be treated in her studio.
Collection Care and Environmental Control
Understanding the environment in which an artwork is displayed, and modifying it where possible, helps minimise deterioration and extend an artwork’s lifespan.
The most significant climatic factors affecting paintings are temperature, relative humidity and light levels. Other issues, including dust accumulation and pest activity, also pose risks.
Rachel can identify and measure key environmental variables and recommend practical steps to stabilise conditions and reduce potential damage.
She routinely applies a backing to artworks to help buffer against fluctuations in temperature and relative humidity. In situations where environmental control is limited or conditions are more extreme, glazing with a UV filter may be advisable.
Conservation Framing
Framing to conservation standards is an integral part of the overall treatment process. As noted above, a backing is fitted to prevent the build-up of dirt and to minimise the harmful effects of fluctuations in temperature and relative humidity. The frame’s rebate is also lined to protect the paint layer along the edges, and appropriate brass hanging brackets and brass wire are installed to safely support the weight of the framed artwork.
For unframed pieces, Rachel works closely with a local framer to recommend a suitable profile that both supports and enhances the painting.
Wall Paintings and Decorative Schemes
Over her career, Rachel has helped conserve approximately 30 wall paintings in the UK and on the Channel Island of Jersey. Some of these projects have involved grand and well-known works, such as the Dome at St Paul’s Cathedral in London and the wall paintings at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire, while others are more modest, tucked away in parish churches or smaller vernacular buildings.
Although her primary focus is now the conservation of easel paintings, she welcomes enquiries regarding the conservation of small to medium-sized wall paintings and decorative interiors.
Portrait of a Woman - before treatment.
Portrait of a Woman – after treatment.
Tear before treatment.
Tear after treatment.
Detail during cleaning.
Biography
Rachel Witt ACR
Rachel was awarded a Distinction for her MA in the Conservation of Easel Paintings in 2001. Since then, she has worked on a wide range of conservation projects across both the private and public sectors in the UK and abroad.
In her early career, she worked for a multi-specialist company in London, where she deepened her technical expertise and helped deliver several major, high-profile projects.
In 2011, driven by an interest in museum work, she moved to Singapore to become Head of the Paintings Section at the Heritage Conservation Centre (HCC).
After years of broad professional experience, Rachel founded RW Conservation in 2023 and now treats paintings to a high standard in her Hastings studio.
Client testimonials
We found Rachel’s website on-line and invited her to look at our painting. She came back with an assessment, a proposed treatment and cost for the restoration. We were updated at every step of the way and went to Rachel’s studio during the process for a progress report.
So glad that we met Rachel and entrusted her with this project. The care and professionalism she demonstrated throughout was everything we could have dreamt of.
Nick Radclyffe
Private collector
A huge thank you to Rachel, for all the time, care, skill and utter brilliance she brought to the wonderful and beautiful restoration of my painting. It looks so utterly gorgeous on the wall. It will never again look like it did when I brought it to her studio. I had no idea it would be so stunningly restored.
Tyler Butterworth
Private collector
Rachel’s work was impeccable and she was a pleasure to work with. The patience, love and passion for restoring our decorative chancel arch really showed. We were more than pleased with the result. It is now a beautiful scheme that many can enjoy for generations to come.
The Reverend Tim Bell
Christ Church, Ore.