This week in textile conservation we did a load of laundry: doll clothes from the Dollyver family set of dolls currently undergoing conservation treatment.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Rubens

by Conservation

9/20/2018

behind the scenes , conservation , Peter Paul Rubens , Samson and Delilah

The oil sketch is one of a few paintings in our collection that is framed in a special sealed-environment package.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Doll Transformation

by Conservation

9/6/2018

behind the scenes , conservation , doll , Dollyver

You may have seen a post about this doll a few weeks ago when her costume was undergoing treatment in the textile conservation lab.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: The Conservation-on-View Retablo returns!

by Conservation

8/23/2018

Zaragoza , retablo of saint peter , behind the scenes , conservation

A few weeks ago our paintings conservator teamed with our expert Installation Department to return Zaragoza’s “Retablo of Saint Peter” to its gallery after conservation.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Collecting Calligraphy

by Conservation

8/16/2018

behind the scenes , Collecting Calligraphy , Qur'ran , paper conservation

This page from a Qur’an was written in the 13th century in Spain.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Miniature Textile Conservation

by Conservation

8/9/2018

behind the scenes , conservation , textiles , miniatures , fabric

A visit to the workbench in textile conservation today might feel a little like visiting a fashion studio--in miniature.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Nabataean Shrine

by Convservation

8/2/2018

behind the scenes , conservation , Nabataean Shrine

Our objects conservator has been working with Andy Wolf, an intern from NYU’s graduate training program.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Which solvents are best?

by Conservation

7/26/2018

behind the scenes , conservation , paintings , John H. Twachtman , painting treatment

Our paintings conservator has been examining this little painting by John. H. Twachtman.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Qur’an Paper Repair

by Conservation

7/19/2018

conservation , Collecting Calligraphy , Qur'ran , paper conservation , behind the scenes

ur paper conservator is spending the summer looking very closely at intriguing documents that will soon be on view in Collecting Calligraphy: Arts of the Islamic World.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Mounting Unusual Objects in the Museum

by Conservation

7/12/2018

behind the scenes , conservation , installation , rug , innovations in weaving

Take a peek behind the scenes—or under the rug, in this case!

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Train X-ray

by Conservation

7/3/2018

conservation , X-ray , behind the scenes

A few weeks ago when we had our GE digital x-ray demo running in the Conservation department, our objects conservator brought in the spectacular Railway Engine Coffeemaker for imaging.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Interpreting x-rays, conservation-style

by Conservation

6/27/2018

behind the scenes , conservation , Zaragoza , retablo of saint peter , X-ray

Here’s a detail of one of the paintings from Zaragoza’s “Retablo of Saint Peter.” At left is the same detail in normal light, after conservation.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Lending a hand to a museum in need

by Conservation

6/21/2018

behind the scenes , conservation , Gutenberg

While in Houston for the annual meeting of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC), our paper conservator had the opportunity to use her expertise to help a small museum.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Dr. Dollworth gets an x-ray

by Conservation

6/14/2018

x-ray , behind the scenes , conservation , Dollyver

Last week, Conservation was lucky enough to have an on-site demonstration of digital x-ray by Cory Morriss from GE and Scott Hunley of RCON NDT.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: No pun intended!

by Conservation

5/31/2018

behind the scenes , conservation , Frank Duveneck , paintings

There was a mysterious alteration in this painting. This is a detail of the bottom (also no pun intended) right corner of a nude study by Frank Duveneck, taken while the painting was being cleaned.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: A report from our paper conservation intern, Cara Roth

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5/24/2018

behind the scenes , conservation , Jean Wentzel , paper conservation , prints

This spring in paper conservation, we’re looking at a print of Cincinnati, a view of the city from across the river in Kentucky.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Dye Recipe Catalog

by Conservation

5/17/2018

behind the scenes , conservation , dye catalog , conservation lab

The dye recipe catalog is an important tool in a textile conservation lab.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Eagle Sculpture Revisited

by Conservation

5/10/2018

behind the scenes , conservation , scuplture

This week in objects conservation we revisit our stone sculpture of an eagle wrestling a serpent.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Varnish and Grime

by Conservation

5/3/2018

behind the scenes , conservation , Edward Moran , American Art

When a conservator cleans a painting it’s usually described as using solvents to remove varnish and grime layers.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Gigi Scaria Panorama

by Conservation

4/26/2018

behind the scenes , conservation , Gigi Scaria

When we think of photographs, we usually picture a piece of paper, often of a size that can be mounted in an album or framed and hung on the wall of our home.