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Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Brighter Skies over Waterloo Bridge!

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. On the left, Waterloo Bridge displays the cleaning tests before conservation, and on the right, the cleaned painting after.

There were no surprises during the treatment, which is always a good thing, and the painting is now back on view in Gallery 209.  Be sure to stop by and admire Constable’s brighter blue skies!

Two photos of the same painting. On the left, the painting is yellowed, with a few clean spots. On the right, the painting has been completely restored.
John Constable (English, 1776–1837), Waterloo Bridge, circa 1820, oil on canvas, Gift of Mary Hanna, 1946.109

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