HMS Victory Restoration

[anteros_lmc]

I'm sure you'll already seen the reports about HMS Victory's new paint job which appeared in the press a couple of weeks ago. I've been following the restoration research for a while so it's fascinating to see what the original 1805 paint colour looks like. In addition to analysing seventy-two layers of paint from the hull, the research team also

Comments

[eglantine_br]

It is a fine color I think. They had no notions about pink being a girls color-- and it is not really pink anyway. I think the past was more colorful and nuanced than we imagine anyway. (Like those crazy gaudy Greek statues!)

[vespican]

I don't see the "pink" in it... a different shade to be sure, and if it is historically accurate, that's what it should be. Actually, I kind of like it.
72 layers of paint... sounds like the Navy, either Royal or US. If you can't clean it or remove it, paint it.
Dave

[katriona_s]

Then those layers might contain some blood of sailors? Those paint surely tells many things!

[vespican]

With a ship that fought battles as did HMS Victory, there is no doubt some blood layered in amongst the paint.
Dave

[shepet]

Not only Royal or US Navy :)
In Soviet Union Navy (well as in Russian and Ukrainian now) was and there are a saying "it is easier to paint over than scrape off".

[katriona_s]

The new colour looks more natural and matches the colour of deck!

[charliecochrane]

She's more beautiful than ever. Paint and layers of same - very interesting. I learned only yesterday that old Rembrandt's The Night Watch is mainly dark because of the blooming varnish they put on in later years!

[aletheiafelinea]

Whatever the result is, I thing such historical investigations are fascinating. :)