For the past several years, the Cincinnati Art Museum has been a host site for the Ohio History Service Corps (OHSC), an AmeriCorps program dedicated to preserving local history across the state of Ohio.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: In the nick of time!

by Conservation

12/17/2020

CAMConservation , behind the scenes , varnish samples

We’re still unearthing treasures as we unpack and settle back into our renovated Paintings/Object lab.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Christmas Past, Christmas Present

by Conservation

12/10/2020

#CAMConservation , behind the scenes , Elizabeth Boott Duveneck

Soon to move from the paper lab to the gallery is a box decorated with ink and gouache by Elizabeth Boott Duveneck.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: 1920's Bedspread

by Conservation

12/3/2020

CAMconservation , textileconservation , josephurban , behind the scenes

This bedspread is getting "ready for her close-up."

Going Green: Introducing the CAM Green Team

by Kelly Rectenwald, Associate Objects Conservator

11/25/2020

behind the scenes , green team , go green , sustainability

The Green Team was founded in early 2019 by an interdepartmental team of museum staff dedicated to creating sustainable practices within the museum.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Assyrian Stone Wall Relief

by Conservation

11/19/2020

CAMConservation , behind the scenes , conservation , stone conservation , archaeological conservation , objects conservation

This stone relief dates to 883-859 BCE and depicts a divine figure wearing a horned headdress.

Ann Lowe, African American Fashion Designer

by Cynthia Amnéus, Chief Curator and Curator of Fashion Arts and Textiles

11/2/2020

behind the scenes , Ann Lowe , African American Fashion Designer , curatorial , dress , belt , fashion

Born in Clayton, Alabama in 1898, Ann Lowe was an African American fashion designer, but few know her name.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: 1920’s Paul Theodore Frankl Mirror

by Conservation

10/22/2020

behind the scenes , objects conservation , decorative arts , art conservation , gilding conservation , aluminum leaf , CAMConservation

This week in objects conservation we return to the 1920’s Paul Theodore Frankl mirror. The aluminum leaf on the base and frame is easily abraded and during its use, suffered from normal wear and tear.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Conservator Choices

by Conservation

10/15/2020

CAMConservation , behind the scenes , conservation , Lorenzo Zaragoza , paintings conservation , retablo , restoration , retablo of saint peter , altarpiece

While the paintings conservation studio is under renovation, we thought you might like a look at an example of the choices that conservators can face.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Return to Storage

by Conservation

10/8/2020

behind the scenes , Lorna Simpson , Women Breaking Boundaries , waterless lithography , CAMConservation

In September the light sensitive objects that had been on display in the Women Breaking Boundaries exhibit were returned to storage.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: 1950s Shoe Condition Check

by Conservation

10/1/2020

CAMConservation , 1950s Shoes , 1950s Fashion , textile conervation , behind the scenes

In textile conservation this week, we are carrying out condition checks for a checklist of 27 pairs of women's shoes from the 1950s.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: From Trash to Treasure

by Conservation

9/17/2020

Lining paintings , conservation science , conservation research , behind the scenes , CAMConservation

Along with many other areas of research, conservation scientists test the materials that conservators use in treating works of art.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Guernica by Hank Willis Thomas

by Conservation

9/3/2020

Hank Willis Thomas: All Things Being Equal… , textile art , textile conervation , light damage , behind the scenes

This huge quilt and its neighbors in CAM’s new exhibition "Hank Willis Thomas: All Things Being Equal" are lit up brighter than you might be accustomed to seeing museum textiles.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: 1920’s Mirror Coating Removal

by Conservation

8/20/2020

behind the scenes , conservation , Decorative Arts , furniture conservation , gilding conservation

This large decorative mirror was designed by Paul Theodore Frankl in the late 1920’s.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Some UV protection!

by Conservation

8/13/2020

Varnish removal , paintings conservation , Nicolas Lancret , French Rococo , rococo pastoral , 17th century French painting , ultraviolet , UV light , behind the scenes

Conservation of “The Swing” by Nicolas Lancret is moving along.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: A look at Duchamp’s The Coffee Mill

by Conservation

8/6/2020

paper conservation , conservation , behind the scenes , 20th century , Marcel Duchamp , conservation internship , stained print , stained paper

In celebration of his 133rd birthday, let’s take a closer look at Duchamp’s intaglio print of a cubist-style coffee grinder currently undergoing conservation in the Paper Lab.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: A Bird's Eye View

by Conservation

7/30/2020

textile conervation , costume conservation , behind the scenes , dyed to match , 1930s fashion

A bird's eye view in the textile conservation lab workbench this week brings us these pajama bottoms and a little of the mid-conservation chaos that goes into making them look their best.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Checking in with our summer intern

by Conservation

7/22/2020

objects conservation , lacquered box , hidden objects , conservation , behind the scenes , conservation internship

The objects conservation lab is happy to welcome summer intern Nicole Schmidt, a graduate student from the Garman Art Conservation Department at SUNY Buffalo State in her third year of training.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: A sneak peek!

by Conservation

7/16/2020

behind the scenes , paintings conservation , Varnish removal , Nicolas Lancret , French Rococo , rococo pastoral , 17th century French painting

These days, our paintings conservator is working on a painting that, as you can see, is long overdue for cleaning.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: A Long Title for a Long Print

by Conservation

7/9/2020

paper conservation , Order of Cincinnatus , Eleventh Cincinnati Exposition , Panorama print , CAC Cincinnati , behind the scenes

This year the Cincinnati Art Museum is again supporting the Contemporary Arts Center by lending a book to their newly opened exhibit, “Tania Candiani: Sounding Labor, Silent Bodies”.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Storing your fashion objects safely

by Conservation

7/2/2020

objects conservation , textiles , behind the scenes , fashion , storage , padded hangers

Want to store your treasured fashion objects safely at home? If your objects are safe to hang, you can make your own padded hangers.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: 18th Century Chinese Lacquer Table

by Conservation

6/25/2020

behind the scenes , objects conservation , conservation , Lacquerware , chinese lacquer , chinese furniture

This week in objects conservation we are working on a 18thC Chinese lacquer table with shell inlay.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Tale of the Bamboo Cutter

by Conservation

6/18/2020

Conservation , behind the scenes , Kita Kizuki , Tale of the Bamboo Cutter , Japanese painting , paper conservation , japanese scroll

Staff members have been very active in the museum galleries for the past month. One of the cases that was due for its regular rotation is the hanging scroll case in Gallery 138.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Silk Dress

by Conservation

6/4/2020

conservation , behind the scenes , evening dress , textile conservation , silk dress

It’s working! In the textile conservation lab this week, our textile conservator has been working on preparing this silk dress for an upcoming exhibition.