The master's thesis investigates the use of starches and cellulose ethers as isolating layers in
the retouching of works of art on paper with the aim of increasing the reversibility of the
procedure. The direct application of retouching to paper often leads to irreversible changes, a
possible solution may be the use of an isolating layer – a thin layer of film-forming material
that separates the retouching from the paper carrier. In the theoretical part, various materials
that can be used for the isolating layer and their properties were defined. In the practical part,
we tested some of these materials by applying them to paper samples (rice and wheat starch,
photogelatin, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose). We documented and evaluated the
appearance of the paper after applying these materials, the application of reouching on them,
and the reversibility of the retouching when removed. After testing, rice starch and methyl
cellulose proved to be the best. The use of rice starch and methyl cellulose as an isolating
layer was then practically tested on the examples of two works of art; a print (Zora Stančič,
Untitled, 2010) and a watercolor (Miha Pirnat, Križevniška kolonada, 1994). The research
contributes to the understanding of the practical use of isolating layers in the retouching of
paper supports and provides prompts for further research in this area.
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