When this landscape by Pierre Bonnard went out on loan to another museum a few years ago, our paintings conservator only had time to surface-clean it, to remove the dust and grime that was on the surface.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Nineteenth Century American Landscape

by Conservation

3/26/2020

paintings conservation , behind the scenes , american art , landscapes

This painting is a nineteenth century American landscape that has suffered multiple tears in the course of its lifetime, probably due to the poor quality of the canvas.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Yellow quashes violet!

by Conservation

2/27/2020

sisley , Impressionism , paintings conservation , varnish removal , yellowed varnish , behind the scenes , conservation

This beautiful landscape by Impressionist Alfred Sisley was recently being cleaned of its varnish by our paintings conservator.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: The perks of being a conservator!

by Conservation

1/30/2020

hassam , Impressionism , impressionist , conservation , paintings conservation , behind the scenes

One of the perks of being a conservator is of course spending many hours up-close-and-personal with great art.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Overpainting vs. inpainting

by Conservation

12/12/2019

Thomas Wilmer Dewing , Maria Oakey Dewing , inpainting , overpaint , retouching , paintings conservation , conservation , behind the scenes

Conservation of this painting on wood panel by the Dewing husband-and-wife team was undertaken because the retouching on the painting had discolored.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: A Mysterious Appearance

by Conservation

11/8/2019

behind the scenes , conservation , Thomas Wilmer Dewing , paintings conservation , oil on panel , Maria Oakey Dewing , X-ray , X-radiography , X-raying_paintings , Google Art Project

This tall narrow painting by a husband-and-wife pair is in the paintings conservation studio for removal of varnish and discolored retouching.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: A visit to Paris!

by Conservation`

10/10/2019

behind the scenes , paintings conservation , conservation , Childe Hassam

Our paintings conservator has been cleaning this idyllic view of the Seine for the past few days.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Filling up with Duveneck!

by Conservation

9/12/2019

behind the scenes , conservation , Frank Duveneck , Frank Duveneck: American Master , paintings conservation

Conservation for the upcoming Duveneck exhibition continues apace.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Ready for his close-up?

by Conservation

8/15/2019

Duveneck , photography , paintings conservation , behind the scenes

Sometimes a painting can make its feelings known.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: A Royal Portrait

by Conservation

7/11/2019

behind the scenes , Portrait Miniatures , conservation , Alyn Williams , paintings

Later this month a group of portrait miniatures will go on view highlighting women artists and subjects.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: A different kind of flyspeck!

by Conservation

4/26/2019

paintings , conservation , inpainting , Isaak Soreau , flemish still life , flyspecks , insects

Sometimes our paintings conservator might find an ancient flyspeck on a painting.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: A black light revelation!

by Conservation

3/28/2019

behind the scenes , conservation , Walter Schofield , black light , paintings conservation

In the course of examining this early 20th century painting by American Impressionist Walter Schofield, our paintings conservator noticed a curious thing.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Ships Ahoy!

by Conservation

2/28/2019

behind the scenes , conservation , paintings , Frank Duveneck , Ralston Crawford , Walter Elmer Schofield

By complete coincidence, three very large ships were recently at anchor in the paintings conservation studio.

“Hokusai Updated” at the Mori Art Center, Tokyo, Japan

by Dr. Hou-mei Sung, Curator of Asian Art

2/15/2019

behind the scenes , Hokusai Updated , Japanese Art , woodcut , paintings

The exhibition will feature a set of ten rare woodblock prints by Hokusai illustrating Kanadehon Chūshingura and two paintings from the Cincinnati Art Museum’s collection.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Raking light

by Conservation

1/31/2019

behind the scenes , conservation , paintings , Walter Elmer Schofield , The Landing Stage at Boulogne

One of the many examination techniques used when planning a paintings conservation treatment is raking light, where a light placed at one side of the painting and the light “rakes” across the surface.

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: Rusty Tacks

by Conservation

12/20/2018

behind the scenes , conservation , paintings , treatment

This little dish of rusty tacks shows why paintings conservators should keep their tetanus shots up to date!

Behind the Scenes in Conservation: A Tiny Landscape

by Conservation

11/15/2018

behind the scenes , conservation , paintings , landscapes , Frank Duveneck

This little painting measures around 5 by 8 inches.

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: 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.