Category: Conservation
National Gallery Remove Frame from Botticelli
February 26 2021
Video: The National Gallery
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The National Gallery in London have released this video from 2019 showing what conservators found when they removed the frame from Botticelli and Filippino's Adoration of the Kings. The video features Restorer Jill Dunkerton and Conservator Britta New.
Sixteenth Century Statue Repainted by Parishioner
February 24 2021
Picture: actu.fr
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Europe's latest botched amateur restoration story comes from Caen in France. A recently repainted sixteenth century statue from the Church of Saint Pierre has been sent off by administrators after a parishioner decided to repaint the statue 'with colours like on statues that can be seen in Martinique'. The 'well-meaning' parishioner is said to have undertaken the work after experiencing a 'revelation'. Fortunately, the would-be restorer had used water based paints. Professional conservators are hopeful that the work is entirely reversible.
Bastianino Crucifix Conserved and Reattributed in Berlin
February 23 2021
Video: Gemäldegalerie Berlin
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Gemäldegalerie in Berlin have made the following video providing details of their recently restored The Living Cross by Sebastiano Filippi (called Bastianino) (1536-1602).
The work had not been on display since it was acquired in 1912 by the Friedrich Wilhelm University. Indeed, it had been kept in the partly destroyed Berliner Dom during the war. In 2015 the large altarpiece was transfered to the Gemäldegalerie where the painting was examined and conserved. Although the picture had been described as by the 'School of Garofalo', closer examination by curator Dr. Roberto Contini made it possible to reattribute the work to Bastianino.
The painting features in a mini exhibition at the gallery until 14th March 2021.
Spanish Baroque Altarpiece Conserved
February 23 2021
Picture: @AdepaSevillaHca
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Interesting news on Twitter today that the Church of San Vicente in Seville, Spain, is having a grand altarpiece by Francisco Herrera the Elder (1576-1656) conserved. The Adoration of the Eucharist, signed and dated 1641, has had its left side cleaned thus far (pictured). The revelation of the bright colours under all of that dirt and grime is remarkable. Previous reports had suggested that the work had never been treated by conservators in its 379 year history, which seems plausible judging by the transformative clean.
Scream Scans shows Inscription was made by Munch
February 22 2021
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The National Museum of Norway have concluded that an inscription made on Edvard Munch's The Scream was made by the artist's own hand. In the top left hand corner resides a sentence which reads 'Can only have been painted by a madman', a piece of text which has long baffled art historians. Recent scans of the work have helped to reveal more details of the writing. It's been suggested that Munch might have added the sentence after the work received a critical reception in an 1895 exhibition.
Twombly Foundation Threatens to sue Louvre over Renovation
February 19 2021
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Here's an interesting story that's been developing over the past week. The Twombly foundation, the self-appointed guardians of the work of the late Cy Twombly, have threatened to sue the Louvre after a slight alteration to a monumental ceiling painting by the artist "was made without any consultation with, much less permission from, the foundation." The work was unveiled in 2010.
A recent renovation of the Salle des Bronzes by the museum included the changing of the floor, lighting and colour of the walls to red. The museum have defended their decision as their right to change displays over the centuries, but the Twombly foundation think otherwise. The foundation has claimed “The deep red that has been introduced violates these harmonies and entirely destroys the balance of Twombly’s sensitive and memorable installation" which has caused “serious damage” and a “violation of the artist’s moral rights.”
The Louvre have rebuffed these claims, stating that there was nothing in their agreement with the late artist that demanded that the room stay frozen in time.
Jacques de Létin Painting Conserved
February 18 2021
Picture: @jmvanhoutte2
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
I've spotted some interesting pictures on Twitter (via. @jmvanhoutte2) of a recently conserved painting by the French painter Jacques de Létin (1597-1661). This painting of Christ healing the Paralytic is found in the Église Saint-Rémy de Troyes, Champagne-Ardenne.
The transformation seems to have been very impressive. Here's a photograph of the painting before it was cleaned:
Gurke Fastentuch Conserved
February 13 2021
Picture: kath-kirche-kaernten.at
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
My attention has been drawn to a news story from Austria. The Gurke Fastentuch, a mid-fifteenth century painted textile found in the Gurke Dom in Carinthia, Austria, has been conserved and redisplayed. This Lenten shroud measures 89 square metres and features 99 religious scenes such as the one above (pictured). The restoration of this fragile gothic cloth has taken several years, however, visitors will now be able to see the fully restored artwork back in situ.
Louvre's New Storage Facility
February 13 2021
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The New York Times have published a piece on the Louvre's new storage facility in the town of Liévin, near Lens. Over 100,000 objects have already been moved to the new facility which has come at a cost of €60m.
KHM Vienna Conserves a Rubens Landscape
February 12 2021
Video: Kunsthistoriches Museum Wien
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Kunsthistoriches Museum in Vienna have published the video above detailing the recent conservation and research into their large scale The Great Landscape with a Tempest by Peter Paul Rubens. The video details the changes the artist made to the landscape over time, including adding the figures and story towards the end of the picture's development.
Fortunately, all the research compiled during this project has been distilled into a rather impressive book available in both German and English.
Ribera Conserved in Royal Palace of Madrid
February 12 2021
Picture: Patrimonio Nacional
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Gosh, it seems that Spanish museums have been rather busy with conservation projects over the past few months!
The Patrimonio Nacional, under which the Spanish State's Palaces are administered, has recently conserved a painting by José de Ribera (1591-1652). The Liberation of Saint Peter is part of the art collection kept in the Royal Palace in Madrid. Conservation has uncovered the artist's signature and a possible date of 1631 or 1634. A pentimento of the angel's left arm has also been revealed,
The organisation have published some interesting videos concerning the restoration on their Twitter page.
History of Picture Frames Course at University of Amsterdam
February 12 2021
Picture: Rijksmuseum via. auricularstyleframes
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The University of Amsterdam are running what looks to be one of the most in depth courses on the history of picture frames available to scholars, arts professionals or any lover of art! Picture Frames 15th - 21st Century will consist of 2 hour lectures stretched over 4 weeks in April 2021. Furthermore, the course will be lead by Hubert Baija, Senior Conservator of Frames and Gilding at the Rijksmuseum, and cover all of the historical frame styles and periods.
This in depth online course begins on 1st April 2021 and will cost €350 to attend.
Museum of Fine Arts of València Restores Van Dyck Equestrian Portrait
February 11 2021
Picture: gva.es
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Museum of Fine Arts of València has redisplayed a recently conserved portrait of Francisco de Moncada, 3rd Marquis of Aytona, After Sir Anthony Van Dyck. This restoration work was undertaken by l'Institut Valencià de Restauració, Conservació i Investigació (IVCR+i). The work, which seems to by owned by the Prado, had been a part of Valencian collection of Colonel Manuel Montesinos y Molina before it was acquired by the museum.
Although the article seems to suggest that the Valencian picture is by Van Dyck himself, the 2004 catalogue raisonné of the artist lists the work as being a copy of the original in the Louvre, Paris.
Many of you will spot that the composition is taken from Van Dyck's portrait of King Charles I in the Royal Collection. Indeed, I've always found it curious that the Marquis was painted wearing the exact same Greenwich armour as Charles does. This is surprising, as the Spanish tended to like highly gilded and flamboyant armours in this period. So here it seems obvious that Van Dyck used prepared studies which he brought with him to Brussels where he is believed to have completed the picture. In this case, it's possible that the head was simply stuck on. Very useful when you're trying to make an impressive painting in a hurry.
Here's a better image from the website above:
Prado Conserves Del Sarto Holy Family
February 11 2021
Picture: Prado Museum
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Prado Museum in Madrid have released a video on their Instagram account giving details behind the recent conservation of a painting of the Holy Family by Andrea del Sarto. The video is in Spanish, but thanks to a summary by @Boro_PR on Twitter, it seems that they have concluded that this version is a very late autograph replica of the more famous Barberini picture.
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Conserving Colonial Cuzco School Paintings at the MET
February 11 2021
Video: MET
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York have released the following video giving an interesting insight into the conservation of colonial paintings from eighteenth century Latin America.
The National Trust Receives £3m Restoration Grant from US
February 10 2021
Picture: The National Trust
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The National Trust has received a £3m grant from the US Royal Oak Charity in order support conservation projects. This is set to include the conservation of a portrait of Sir John Maitland by Adrian Vanson, which seems to have been painted on top of a portrait of Mary Queen of Scots. This portrait from Ham House is currently undergoing treatment in the trust's conservation studios at Knole (pictured). Other works set to benefit from the money include a set of sixteenth century chairs at Petworth and a Samurai Armour from Snowshill Manor.
Leonardo's Last Supper to Receive New Lighting
February 9 2021
Picture: finestresullarte.info
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
News from Italy that Leonardo's Last Supper will be receiving a new lighting system this autumn. The Museo Cenacolo Vinciano in Milan has announced that the new system will be preceded by inspections by conservators of the fragile surviving fresco. High resolution scans of the masterpiece will also be undertaken as part of this conservation campaign.
The Museum recently reopened to the public with a strict system of 12 visitors per quarter of an hour.
Sixteenth Century Doctor from Tatton Park
February 7 2021
Video: BBC
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
I'm sure Bendor would want me to draw attention to the next episode of Britain's Lost Masterpieces which airs tomorrow (8th February 2021) on BBC4 at 9pm (GMT). In this segment conservator Simon Gillespie and Bendor have a closer look at a painting from Tatton Park, a very impressive house with a fine collection looked after by the National Trust in Cheshire.
Update - A reader has written in with the following lines:
Having watched the first two programmes in Bendy's new series of Britain's Lost Masterpieces, I feel moved to contact AHN to say that they are superb. It is so good to have some really interesting, educational and entertaning art history on television for a change. Well done Bendy and well done BBC4 - please keep it up!
Conservation Studio Opens in Canova's Kitchen
February 5 2021
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
A temporary conservation studio has opened in Canova's old kitchens at the Casa Canova in Possagno. The studio will be busy making detailed studies of the artist's works in time for next year's 200th Anniversary of the sculptor's death. The first artwork that will be investigated is the artist's 1799 self-portrait (pictured), completed when the sculptor had turned to painting.
Conserving Rubens's Het Steen Panel
February 2 2021
Video: The National Gallery
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The National Gallery in London have uploaded the video above explaining the recent conservation of the panel support for Rubens's Het Steen. Rubens's panel paintings are traditionally known to be a nightmare for conservators, as they were often constructed using vast amounts of panels all stuck together! The video is hosted by conservator Britta New.
