This is the painting as it appeared prior to conservation treatment.
Roll your mouse over the painting above to identify its problem areas. Click on each "hotspot" to reveal how the conservator resolved the problem.
What does a conservator do?
Conservators are highly trained professionals, often having graduate degrees in chemistry and fine arts. In examining, documenting and preserving artifacts, conservators draw upon a wide base of knowledge. They must know about pollutants, pests, and the effects of light, humidity and temperature. Restoring an historical artifact or work of art requires a conservator to be well-versed with the latest in science and materials research. Tools of their trade include polarizing light microscopes, gas chromatography, X-ray fluorescence and a variety of pigments and chemicals. Conservators develop specialties—and even subspecialties—in the care of textiles, objects, paintings, works on paper, furniture and sculpture.
Conserving the Reverse Painting on Glass: The Problems and the Solutions
After considerable research, The Brick Store Museum opted to send the Ship Nathaniel Thompson painting to the Williamstown Art Conservation Center (WACC) for treatment i n November 2004. The WACC was founded in 1977 to address the conservation needs of institutions throughout the northeastern United States. It is located on the grounds of the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Today, the WACC is one of the country’s most active centers for the conservation of works of art. The state-of-the-art facility, coupled with its range of services, 13 skilled staff conservators and innovative approaches makes WACC among the most effective regional centers in the United States.
When the painting arrived, it was the 228th painting accepted into the WACC's lab that year! Conservator Sandra Webber examined the painting, took several photographs and wrote up a full report detailing the condition of the painting and the proposed plan for treatment. Over the course of a few months, Webber worked approximately 60 hours to restore the painting.