Ione Robinson

Ione Robinson was an American artist, writer, and socialite born in Portland, Oregon. She is best known for her book, A Wall to Paint On (1946), which documents the Mexican muralist movement and her experiences during the Spanish Civil War. Educated at the Otis Art Institute and Pennsylvania Academy, Robinson worked with notable artists like Diego Rivera and Rockwell Kent, gaining recognition for her own exhibitions. Later in life, she settled in France, contributing illustrations to publications like Vogue.

The painting Little Girl in Red, 1931, by Ione Robinson, was treated as part of a project focused on the Mexican muralist movement, as she was inspired by its main protagonists. Over the years, layers of accumulated dirt and discolored varnish had concealed the paint beneath. Furthermore, the existing varnish was considered too cloudy, clashing with the paintings' delicate tonality. The conservation treatment of this work focused mainly on removing the old varnish, uncovering the original brighter colors, and applying a more suitable varnish, which resulted in a more appropriate surface.