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The Art and Science of Art Conservation The Art and Science of Art Conservation
(5 months later)
When people think of great works of art, they probably think of Monet, van Gogh, Picasso, or Rembrandt. But rarely does anyone think of scientists; specifically, most people are unaware of the exquisite marriage of science and art that underpins art conservation so we can enjoy the original pieces rather than a poster-sized print -- or thumbnail image in an encyclopaedia (as I often did as a child).When people think of great works of art, they probably think of Monet, van Gogh, Picasso, or Rembrandt. But rarely does anyone think of scientists; specifically, most people are unaware of the exquisite marriage of science and art that underpins art conservation so we can enjoy the original pieces rather than a poster-sized print -- or thumbnail image in an encyclopaedia (as I often did as a child).
With that in mind, this week’s Museum Monday (twitter hashtag #MuseumMonday) is extra special because it coincides with the first day of twitter’s Museum Week (hashtag #MuseumWeek). For that reason, I chose to share a couple videos that fit today’s “behind the scenes” theme (hashtag #secretsMW). These videos provide a fascinating look at how much science happens behind the scenes -- particularly at art galleries.With that in mind, this week’s Museum Monday (twitter hashtag #MuseumMonday) is extra special because it coincides with the first day of twitter’s Museum Week (hashtag #MuseumWeek). For that reason, I chose to share a couple videos that fit today’s “behind the scenes” theme (hashtag #secretsMW). These videos provide a fascinating look at how much science happens behind the scenes -- particularly at art galleries.
The first video comes to us from the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC. The Smithsonian is a group of 19 museums, 9 research centres, and a zoo as well as 168 international affiliations -- comprising the largest museum-complex in the world. In this video, we get an overview for how art is conserved at the Smithsonian’s Freer Gallery of Asian Art -- we meet some of the many experts who carry out this work, the equipment and techniques used, and the special skills that are necessary to ensure the longevity of these objects so future generations can enjoy, study and learn from them:The first video comes to us from the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC. The Smithsonian is a group of 19 museums, 9 research centres, and a zoo as well as 168 international affiliations -- comprising the largest museum-complex in the world. In this video, we get an overview for how art is conserved at the Smithsonian’s Freer Gallery of Asian Art -- we meet some of the many experts who carry out this work, the equipment and techniques used, and the special skills that are necessary to ensure the longevity of these objects so future generations can enjoy, study and learn from them:
In contrast to the previous video, this next one follows the conservation work on one particular piece of art from the beginning until it is ready to be publicly shown again, after 40 years in storage. This video, by the Indianapolis Museum of Art, documents the many scientific, photographic and woodworking techniques used to restore an altarpiece that was dated in 1507 by Italian Renaissance painter, Sebastiano Mainardi. Most this video made me so tense that I was balanced precariously on the edge of my seat:In contrast to the previous video, this next one follows the conservation work on one particular piece of art from the beginning until it is ready to be publicly shown again, after 40 years in storage. This video, by the Indianapolis Museum of Art, documents the many scientific, photographic and woodworking techniques used to restore an altarpiece that was dated in 1507 by Italian Renaissance painter, Sebastiano Mainardi. Most this video made me so tense that I was balanced precariously on the edge of my seat:
The Freer-Sackler Art Museums can be found on twitter @FreerSackler. (In fact, the Smithsonian’s many museums and research centres can be found on twitter -- they even have an index page devoted to all their twitter accounts!)The Freer-Sackler Art Museums can be found on twitter @FreerSackler. (In fact, the Smithsonian’s many museums and research centres can be found on twitter -- they even have an index page devoted to all their twitter accounts!)
The Indianapolis Museum of Art can also be found on twitter @IMAmuseumThe Indianapolis Museum of Art can also be found on twitter @IMAmuseum
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GrrlScientist is very active on twitter @GrrlScientist and lurks on social media: facebook, G+, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.GrrlScientist is very active on twitter @GrrlScientist and lurks on social media: facebook, G+, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.