Henry Moore, Group of Reclining Figures, 1973, lithograph
Henry Moore, Group of Reclining Figures, 1973, lithograph
Acid degradation
The print was discolored from acid degradation of the paper. The paper itself is of high quality and did not generate unusually high amounts of acid. The damage done to the print was from acids migrating into the print from the highly acidic back mat. The acid degradation of the paper was accelerated by high levels of light exposure.
Aqueous washing of the print can remove or reduce the acids in the paper which will lengthen the life of the paper and lighten its color.