Sept. 8, 2022
Seneca News
Restored paintings at Eaton Hall uncover history of artwork
Seneca conserves portraits of Sir John and Lady Eaton
Two priceless paintings that have hung in Eaton Hall at King Campus since 1940 are now looking better than ever before.
A portrait of Florence McCrea Eaton (Lady Eaton) and another of her husband, Sir John Craig Eaton, have received restoration treatments including cleaning and the removal of grime and discoloured varnish.
“It’s almost like seeing a woman with no makeup on,” said Alicia Coutts, Director and Art Conservator of Toronto Art Restoration Inc. “It’s always a bit like, ‘Whoa.’”
Ms. Coutts and her team restore hundreds of different types of artwork every year. They were also able to remove a significant amount of darkness and yellowing and restore brushstroke details on the portraits of Sir John and Lady Eaton, which were in fair and good condition, respectively.
“When you can view the individual paint stroke — every single one a different colour, tone and hue — you can see what the artist was looking to achieve,” Ms. Coutts said. “During our cleaning process, we want to think of the artist’s intent and how he would have envisioned the piece. We also have to consider that these are old pieces and respect their signs of graceful aging, which are of historic value.”
The classical portraits were painted by British artist Maurice Codner more than 100 years ago. Lady Eaton, seated in a chair, is wearing a cream-coloured dress and holding a pink feather fan in her lap. Sir John, seated in front of a bookshelf and a curtain, is wearing a brown three-piece suit with a book opened in his lap.
“The artist’s craftsmanship is revealed during restoration treatments,” Ms. Coutts added. “As we remove layers of varnish, we uncover the history of the artwork, almost like putting us in front of the artist’s easel.”
This is the second time the two paintings have been restored. The first time was in 1964, seven years before Seneca bought Eaton Hall, the majestic, quasi-French chateau complete with a ballroom, great hall, library and servants’ quarters.
Lady Eaton’s portrait has always been situated above the fireplace in the main hall, while Sir John’s has hung above the fireplace in the west dining room.
“It’s unbelievable the care and talent that has gone into retaining this piece of history. I can’t believe how beautiful they look now,” said Kelly Mathews, Seneca’s Director of Communications and author of Eaton Hall: Pride of King Township. “These are the only two paintings that remain at Eaton Hall from the period of Eaton ownership.”
Eaton Hall was Lady Eaton’s home. Sir John died before construction on the chateau began in 1938. During the Second World War, she turned over Eaton Hall to the Royal Canadian Navy as a hospice for wounded seamen.
Under Seneca’s management, it has served as a hotel, wedding and special event venue, conference centre, community meeting space and living lab for students in the Hospitality – Hotel & Restaurant Services Management diploma program.
Peter & Pauls Hospitality Group recently took over the management of Eaton Hall. It has not only revitalized and reopened the facility but renamed it Eaton Hall Country Inn & Spa, an event and hospitality venue and cultural destination in King Township.
And the portraits of Sir John and Lady Eaton have come along for the ride.