17 Jul When Do You Call an Art Conservator?
Art conservators are a little like art superheroes. I can feel my coworker’s eyes rolling as I type this, but it’s true. I’ve seen the work our conservator, Amy, does and it is spectacular. I’ve gone into her office to watch her work, partly to take a break from my job and partly to learn more about her methods. Whenever I do it, I think, “Wow, this is like magic” and closely follow that thought with, “Thank goodness I don’t do this.” Why? There’s no wand or spell in art conservation. You can’t just slap some glue on a crack or wipe a painting down with a rag and cleaner. The work is tedious and requires a tremendous amount of patience, skill, passion, and chutzpah.
Sometimes it’s easy to know when your art needs a conservator. Other times, it’s a little more difficult. When do you call an art conservator? Do you only seek out an art conservator when you find an obvious issue with your art such as damage or grime? Or is it more like a car tune-up where you bring it in every so many years for a quick cleaning and assessment? To answer this, you need to know what an art conservator actually is and does.
What is an Art Conservator?
Conservators preserve and treat art: paintings, watercolors, documents, pottery, textiles, artifacts, etc. The art may have historical or sentimental value. The Smithsonian writes, “The goal of the conservator is to stabilize the remaining original artwork and integrate any repairs in order to preserve the artist’s original intent.” This may include restoring a work of art or stabilizing a piece to prevent further damage.
In order to become an art conservator, you need a master’s degree in conservation or a related field. Conservators learn about many advanced topics such as science, conservation techniques, ethics, and research methods within their specialty. Most conservators train in a specific art form and become experts in that field. Some jobs require additional experience such as post-graduate fellowships, internships, or apprenticeships.
Art conservators are more concerned about the art’s health and future than aesthetics. Their methods are reversible rather than permanent because technology and best practices are always evolving. The conservation methods from 50 years ago may not be relevant or safe today. They want their work to protect and preserve the piece; this includes allowing for future improvements.
When Do You Call an Art Conservator?
There are a few obvious signs you should call a conservator:
Poor Framing
Bad custom framing will kill a piece of art fast. Acidic materials can create burn marks that leave a stain on paper. Gaps between the art and frame leave just enough space for bugs and humidity to do their worst. Improper mounting can leave permanent damage, and the wrong glazing can cause fading. Take a look at your custom framing with a critical eye. If you see fading, rust-colored lines on your mat or art, loose backing paper, or gaps in the back of your frame, you should take that as a sign to have your art evaluated.
Fire & Water Damage
This is an easy one for most people. If your home has suffered due to fire or water damage, you should call a conservator to review your art. Excess water and smoke damage can leave visible and invisible marks on your art. An example of visible damage is ash and grime buildup; invisible damage includes water and humidity accumulation that primes your art to grow mold in a few months. You don’t want to wait when it comes to fire and smoke damage. The faster you see a professional, the better. Your insurance plan may cover any treatments necessary, and a conservator will document the damage before writing a treatment plan you can submit to your company.
Insect & Pest Damage
Creepy-crawly things love artwork. It has all of the fun things they like to eat–glue, emulsion, fabric, dust. Silverfish damage is one of the most common forms of insect damage we treat in the studio, but beetles, moths, booklice, other bugs, and rodents can cause considerable destruction to your art and textiles. In this case, the best protection is prevention. Keep your home clean and dry. Lightly dust your art (including the back of the art), and if possible, do not place art on the floor. Consider calling a pest control expert if you think you have an infestation or issue.
Natural Wear & Aesthetics
Nothing lasts forever, including your art. It can crack or craze. Paintings can lose paint and canvas can weaken over time. This damage along with punctures, tears, bulges, and warping is something an art conservator will address and repair if possible. If you think your art is dirty or has changed over time (i.e. yellowing varnish), a conservator will clean your painting to help it look its best.
It is never a bad idea to ask a conservator to review your art, even if you don’t have any of these obvious problems. Once they give you a treatment plan, it is up to you to decide whether you want to move forward with their suggestions. If you have a valuable piece of art, you may want to consult an appraiser to see if their work will impact the overall value. For instance, if your goal is to sell a piece of art, you’ll need to determine whether the market value is less than the cost of the treatment. If so, you may decide to sell the art “as is” rather than invest money into something that will not have a high return. It’s important to understand all of your options to make the right decision for you and your art.
Art conservators are important for public and private collectors of all sizes. Many beautiful and memorable works of art would not exist today without art conservators. It doesn’t matter if they’re working on a 500-year-old priceless painting at a museum or a family portrait created by someone’s great aunt; a conservator applies the same care, techniques, and ethics to each project. If you find yourself asking, “When do you call an art conservator?”, the time might be now.
Interested in learning more? Check out our before and after painting restoration in this article.