by Serena Urry, Chief Conservator

3/16/2023

CAMConservation , paintings conservation , British portraiture

This portrait of an anonymous lady by an anonymous British artist was so dirty that only the most basic details were visible before conservation.

by Cecile Mear, Conservator of Works on Paper

3/9/2023

CAMConservation , John Ruthven , paper conservation

Paper conservation often involves undoing repairs by others who don’t have the knowledge or materials needed to best preserve the art. I recently examined a drawing by Cincinnati artist John Ruthven (1924 – 2020) with a long tear that had been mended with pressure sensitive tape, often referred to as “Scotch tape.”

by Obie Linn, Associate Conservator of Textiles

3/2/2023

behind the scenes , objects conservation , CAMConservation , Palampore , South Asian Art , textile conservation

Are you a pal of Indian textiles? Then be sure to see the palampore currently on display in the South Asian Gallery!

by Kelly Rectenwald, Associate Objects Conservator

2/23/2023

behind the scenes , objects conservation , CAMConservation , Jain Shrine

While cleaning and conserving our Jain shrine, we discovered several layers of paint from different periods of its history. The carved wooden designs would have been repainted several times during its use as a devotional object.

by Serena Urry, Chief Conservator

2/16/2023

CAMConservation , paintings conservation , Sir Joshua Reynolds , portrait , British catalog project , European Paintings

These three portraits by Sir Joshua Reynolds (British, 1723–1792) have come out of storage and into the conservation lab for the museum’s British catalog project . They are due to be examined, and perhaps treated, before heading to our photography department for high resolution imaging.

by Obie Linn, Associate Conservator of Textiles

2/2/2023

conservation , CAMConservation , behind the scenes , objects conservation , Kehinde Wiley , vintage dress

Getting beautiful objects on display is a multi-stage process that often includes a stop (or several!) in Conservation. This week we installed some new objects in the Forecourt Gallery of the museum, including this child’s dress.

by Kelly Rectenwald, Associate Objects Conservator

1/26/2023

behind the scenes , objects conservation , CAMConservation

We are working on conserving a new piece of the shrine—which is cleaning up very well—revealing beautiful bright red and yellow pigments underneath the coating.

by Serena Urry, Chief Conservator

1/19/2023

paintings conservation , CAMConservation , Selden

Before the work was shipped to the museum from out of state, our curator of American art, Julie Aronson, PhD, contacted a professionally trained paintings conservator in that region to examine it. He noted a few areas with cracks and lifting paint that might be jeopardized during transport. With permission from the owner , the conservator applied the three tissue paper patches you see here to make sure that no paint flakes were lost in transit.

by Obie Linn, Associate Conservator of Textiles

1/5/2023

CAMConservation , vintage , Chanel , textile conservation , sequins

Heat and moisture melted the missing sequins on this 1925–1926 party dress at the wearer’s armpit.

by Kelly Rectenwald, Objects Conservator

12/21/2022

CAMConservation , behind the scenes , object conservation

Many of the carved items (such as the bow held in the hand of the figure on left side of the archway) had broken and required repairs to be carried out under a microscope.

by Serena Urry, Chief Conservator

12/15/2022

Cezanne , X-ray , CAMConservation , paintings conservation

A few months ago, I posted about the complicated surface coatings on Cézanne’s Still Life with Bread and Eggs.” But what was going on under the surface was even more of a surprise.

by Kelly Rectenwald, Objects Conservator

12/8/2022

Galloping through Dynasties , conservation , CAMConservation

You can see the conserved Dancing Horse in the special exhibition Galloping Through Dynasties through January 1, 2023

by Conservation

12/1/2022

#CAMConservation , textile conservation

We are “dyeing” to find the perfect shades of pink silk chiffon to repair this 1920s dress!

by Conservation

11/17/2022

behind the scenes , objects conservation , CAMConservation , Jain Shrine

This week in objects conservation: Almost 12 months from when we first started the treatment, half of the Jain shrine has been conserved, and a new batch of pieces has moved into the lab to begin treatment.

by Conservation

11/10/2022

CAMConservation , paitings conservation , Martin Archer Shee

Our paintings conservator has just begun a big multi-year project, teaming with curators and other scholars, to examine CAM’s collection of 65+ paintings by British artists.

by Conservation

10/27/2022

CAMConservation , 1740sfurniture , textile conservation , textiles , Grendey

Our textile conservator got to wear all these “hats” this week to address some spots on this settee in Gallery 209, the British portraiture gallery.

by Conservation

10/20/2022

behind the scenes , object conservation , objects conservation , CAMConservation , permanent collection

These large jars are in rough shape and are currently in the lab for some major repairs.

by Conservation

10/13/2022

CAMConservation , Guan Yu , Chinese rubbing , Scroll mounting , Galloping through Dynasties

In the newly opened exhibit, Galloping Through Dynasties, visitors will see several of the museum’s hanging scrolls for the first time.

by Conservation

10/6/2022

CAMConservation , Manet , paintings , paintings conservation

Look for the recently conserved painting in our gallery soon.

by Conservation

9/29/2022

CAMConservation , Palampore , textile conservation , South Asian Art , object conservation

Take a peek into preparations for the reopening of the South Asian Galleries, December 2023.

by Conservation

9/15/2022

CAMConservation , paintings , Paul Cezanne , still lifes , paintings conservation

Look for Bread and Eggs (and onions!) to return to the permanent galleries soon.

by Conservation

9/1/2022

CAMConservation , cincyartmuseum , rug conservation , textile conservation

This test hinted at a dramatic difference!

by Conservation

8/25/2022

CAMConservation , outdoor art , outdoor sculpture , Pinocchio , Jim Dine

Earlier this month our Pinocchio sculpture received a maintenance treatment from conservators who specialize in outdoor sculpture conservation from McKay Lodge Art Conservation.

by Conservation

8/18/2022

Murillo , paintings , paintings conservation , CAMConservation , framing

The last step of conserving the large 7’ x 5’ painting by Murillo has arrived.

by Conservation

8/11/2022

William Blake , The Book of Thel , J.R.R. Tolkien , paper conservation , Haggerty Museum of Art , CAMConservation

The lesser-known book, The Book of Thel, is now featured in an exhibit in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

by Conservation

8/4/2022

CAMConservation , textile conservation , colonial furniture , colonial dames

A whole team helped clean the galleries in a gallery-wide dust-up (or down!). Next time you visit the museum, take a minute to think about all the unseen work that goes into keeping all parts of the museum looking their best.

by Conservation

7/28/2022

CAMConservation , Jain Shrine , Reveal , objects conservation , behind the scenes

This week in objects conservation: We have finished coating removal and cleaning of one of the 44 pieces of our Jain Shrine!

by Conservation

7/21/2022

CAMConservation

Our paintings conservator dons an organic vapor mask, turns on the exhaust trunks, and begins brushing thirty-five square feet plus of painted canvas!

by Conservation

7/7/2022

CAMConservation , art deco , made with mood , Unlocking an Art Deco Bedroom , Joseph Urban

Conservation can take you strange places--like up a ladder in a 1929 bedroom!

by Conservation

6/30/2022

behind the scenes , object conservation , objects conservation , CAMConservation

We hope you’ve enjoyed reading about their treatment progress and enjoy seeing them back in the galleries on your next visit!