Paper conservators have long recognized the benefits of
enzymes in the conservation treatment of works of art.
Most commonly, hydrolase-type enzymes are employed
in the conservation of works on paper to assist in the
breakdown of adhesive residues from previous restorations
or to facilitate the removal of secondary supports such as
linings or mounts. The principal advantages of these
enzymes are their specificity and efficiency in catalyzing
hydrolytic cleavage of polymers such as proteins, polysaccharides,
and lipids. The author evaluates the effectiveness
of two protease enzymes while taking into consideration
cost effectiveness, optimal working conditions, and aftertreatment
effects. The fruition of this research was realized
in the successful conservation treatment of an Indian
miniature utilizing the protease enzyme trypsin incorporated
into an agarose gel. The conservation treatment of
this item is discussed in detail.