by Kelly Rectenwald, Conservator of Objects

3/9/2026

CAMConservation, objects conservation, ceramics

The objects conservation lab is currently treating a delicate porcelain teacup — dating from 1875 by Cincinnati ceramist Mary Louise McLaughlin — in preparation for an upcoming installation.

by Cecile Mear, Conservator of Works on Paper

2/11/2026

CAMConservation, paper conservation, Indian painting

At eight feet in length, this nineteenth-century painting on paper from the Pahari Kingdoms of India is much larger than its counterparts. Along with its unusual size come some unique conservation considerations to help stabilize the artwork's painted surface.

by Julie Ribits, Head of Conservation

1/13/2026

CAMConservation, paintings conservation, pigments

When "Study to Homage to the Square/From Inside" by artist Joseph Albers arrived in the museum's conservation lab for treatment, conservators discovered the painting’s verso included a complete list of all materials the artist used to create the image. This information proved invaluable for conservation treatments.

by Kelly Rectenwald, Conservator of Objects

10/23/2025

objects conservation, ceramics, Japanese Art, Green Committee

Feeling like fall? These examples of Japanese Kutani-ware, characterized by bold colors and nature scenes, provide autumn inspiration.

by Cecile Mear, Conservator of Works on Paper

9/4/2025

CAMConservation, paper conservation, Weston Collection

The museum's Conservation lab repairs the mount of a 50-year-old work by Canadian artist Dorothea Rockburne

by Obie Linn, Conservator of Textiles

8/25/2025

CAMConservation, textile conservation, Cincinnati Wing

A dress from 1910 will be on display in the Cincinnati Wing. First, it makes a stop in Conservation to look its best.

by Kelly Rectenwald, Objects Conservator

7/16/2025

CAMConservation, objects conservation, decorative art and design, Art Deco

Visible damage from regular use, like the hairline cracks on a teacup, often tells a story that can connect us both with the object and the person who used it.

by Geoff Edwards, Archivist & Records Manager

6/25/2025

Elizabeth Nourse, conservation, paper conservation, Mary R. Schiff Library and Archives

Elizabeth Nourse (1859–1938) is one of Cincinnati’s most celebrated artists. Tucked away in the museum’s archives is a scrapbook filled with letters, photographs, press clippings, and other unique materials that paint a fuller picture of Nourse as both an artist and a person.

by Kelly Rectenwald, Conservator of Objects

3/27/2025

CAMconservation, mercury, objects conservation, mirror, Groesbeck House, gilded frame, 19th century furniture

Inside our objects conservation lab, this 19th-century mirror is once again standing upright in all of its glory for the first time in several decades.

by Obie Linn, Conservator of Textiles

2/13/2025

CAMConservation, textile conservation

How many different fabrics are you wearing right now?

by Obie Linn, Conservator of Textiles

2/12/2025

CAMConservation, textile conservation, Zandra Rhodes

This Zandra Rhodes robe has undergone a journey!

by Cecile Mear, Conservator of Works on Paper

2/6/2025

Alice and Carl Bimel, Shahzia Sikander: Collective Behavior, Indian painting, paper conservation, CAMConservation

My initial examination of the painting revealed that some of the paint was poorly attached to the paper support, so before the work went into the gallery, it made a stop in the paper lab.

by Serena Urry, Chief Conservator

12/12/2024

CAMConservation, paintings conservation, John Francis, still lifes

Basket of Fruit, a still life by American artist John Francis (1808–1886), was last conserved here at CAM in 1975.

by Cecile Mear, Conservator of Works on Paper

12/9/2024

The Sweetest Thing, Gee Horton, KMAC Contemporary Art Museum, paper conservation, Black on Both Sides, CAMConservation

In November I travelled to Louisville, Kentucky, to help install two drawings by Cincinnati-based artist Gee Horton at KMAC Contemporary Art Museum.

by Obie Linn, Conservator of Textiles

11/13/2024

CAMConservation, textile conservation, historic lace

*Warning: puns and silly wordplay ahead! If that’s not your thing, this may not be the pLACE for you!

by Obie Linn, Conservator of Textiles

10/10/2024

CAMConservation, textile conservation, 1890s fashion, Cincinnati Wing

In the textile conservation lab, a three-piece 1890s cotton muslin ensemble arrived for treatment!

by Kelly Rectenwald, Conservator of Objects

10/3/2024

CAMConservation, objects conservation, Cloisonne Tray, Qing Dynasty

The dark grime on its surface is thick and unevenly embedded in the layers of a degraded wax coating.

by Serena Urry, Chief Conservator

9/26/2024

CAMConservation, paintings conservation, Italian Altarpiece

After a very close and extended examination by our conservator , it seems certain Madonna and Child was originally part of an Italian Renaissance altarpiece.

by Obie Linn, Conservator of Textiles

9/18/2024

CAMConservation, 1890s fashion, textile conservation

You ever have had a project lingering around your house or work that just … bugs you? A thing that needs to be done if only someone would just DO it? This bodice was one of those projects!

by Serena Urry, Chief Conservator

8/29/2024

CAMConservation, paintings conservation, Constable, British catalog project

A few weeks ago, we posted about cleaning this landscape painting by British artist John Constable (1776–1837). The conservation treatment proceeded as quickly as we expected.

by Cecile Mear, Conservator of Works on Paper

8/22/2024

CAMConservation, Chuck Close, Keith Hollingworth, paper pulp print, Art Bridges, Denison Museum, Denison University, portrait, paintings conservation

Denison Museum at Denison University (Granville, Ohio) will show nine Cincinnati Art Museum pieces in different media from August 29 to November 29, 2024, in their exhibition Portraying Identity .

by Kelly Rectenwald, Conservator of Objects

8/8/2024

CAMConservation, objects conservation, Giambologna, Mercury, bronze, marble, scuplture

This week in objects conservation, we are cleaning marble.

by Serena Urry, Chief Conservator

8/1/2024

CAMConservation, paintings conservation, Constable, British catalog project

We brought this lovely landscape, Waterloo Bridge by British artist John Constable (1776-1837), into the conservation lab to be examined for the British catalog project. Not conserved for more than 60 years, the painting’s varnish is now noticeably yellow.

by Cecile Mear, Conservator of Works on Paper

7/25/2024

George Bellows, lithograph, paper conservation, CAMConservation, slant washing, John L. Sullivan

One of Bellow’s larger lithographs, Introducing John L. Sullivan, is torn in places along its right side; these tears could worsen with handling if not mended.

by C. Obie Linn, Conservator of Textiles

7/18/2024

CAMConservation, Rei Kawakubo, textile conservation

Wanting to do a little more analysis of this piece, I took the jacket back to the museum’s Conservation lab and created a toile, which is like a test version of a pattern used to study and perfect how an original flat pattern works.

by Kelly Rectenwald, Conservator of Objects

7/11/2024

Art Deco, CAMConservation, Joseph Urban, 1920s desk lamps, brass, tarnish, objects conservation

This pair of art deco lamps, designed by Joseph Urban, was last on view in 2022 as part of the exhibition Unlocking an Art Deco Bedroom by Joseph Urban.

by C. Obie Linn, Conservator of Textiles

6/20/2024

textile conservation, CAMConservation, historic upholstery, colonial dames, colonial furniture

It was time for the ladderback chairs in Gallery 218 to get a refresh! The chairs’ silk upholstery wasn’t original and over the years, while on display, the fabric had grown dingy and stained. Curator of Decorative Arts & Design Amy Dehan selected some appropriate, modern fabric in consultation with me, and I recovered the seats!

by Cecile Mear, Conservator of Works on Paper

5/30/2024

paper conservation, lithograph, Anne Bellows, George Bellows

To help this artwork look her best for CAM’s fall exhibition, George Bellows: American Life in Print, she stopped by the Paper Lab for conservation treatment.

by Obie Linn, Textile Conservator

5/23/2024

CAMConservation, textile conservation, 1910s fashion

Remember the blue dress from a few weeks ago? This week she’s back—with a secret.

by Serena Urry, Chief Conservator

5/9/2024

CAMConservation, paintings conservation, Sir Joshua Reynolds, British catalog project, John Steuart Curry

Boy with Grapes, by Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723–1792), is the 45th painting examined in the paintings conservation lab over the last eighteen months, for the British catalog project.