When a paper artifact is not properly protected, it may become vulnerable to a variety of surface deposits, including airborne dust and dirt, fingerprints, insect droppings, and various other types of accretions. The drawing by Abbott Thayer shown here was subjected to fingerprints consisting of some combination of dirt, oil, sweat, and/or traces of food. These darkened over time and eventually appeared as brown smudges on the images of horses.
Surface deposits can often be reduced, if not entirely eliminated. A conservator may remove grime using a vacuum or archival-quality erasers. In addition, poultices (absorbent materials moistened with solvents) may sometimes be used to loosen and move dirt that has become embedded. Surgical tools are often effective in dislodging accretions of various kinds.
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