How do conservators look at works of art?
What do they see that we don't?
videos + essays
The conservator’s eye: a stained glass Adoration of the Magi
Flashed or stained? Discover the historical techniques required to produce—and restore—this vibrant glass painting.
The conservator’s eye: Madame Cézanne in the Conservatory
Cézanne left graphite lines visible and ground open on this canvas, granting us access to his working process.
The conservator’s eye: Rembrandt, Aristotle with a Bust of Homer
What lies beneath the surface? Research into a “crusty” buildup of paint reveals Rembrandt’s editing process.
The conservator’s eye: Taddeo Gaddi, Saint Julian
Monks and nuns removed candle soot from this painting using urine and lye, but its gold background never tarnished.
The conservator’s eye: Anselm Kiefer, Bohemia Lies by the Sea
Is this a painting or a relief sculpture? Unclear. Whatever it is, Kiefer’s landscape is falling apart.
