Lunder Conservation Center at the Smithsonian American Art Museum




In case you've wondered (I always have) how works of art are cared for, repaired and conserved, this is the place! They have lots of information on videos and you can see the conservation studios at work.

The top photo is the painting studio where they restore paintings. In the lower photo you can see a repair in progress. See the sign that says 'Art Below' and 'Don't Move'? There's a painting weighted down.

The Center even has a large interactive display in the hallway that discusses careers in art conservation. Perfect for kids who can always use more information about options and opportunities. After all, who knew at age 14 that people make a living repairing masterpieces?

Next time you're in DC visit the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) w/ the Luce Center for art (thousands of paintings stuffed in glass cases - I love it that their storage area is open to nose around in), the Lunder Conservation Center, the Portrait Gallery and the SAAM.

Comments

Amber said…
Thanks for posting this on your blog. I am a paintings conservation fellow at the Lunder Conservation Center and the top photo if of a project I am just now completing. It is a painting by Lois Mailou Jones titled: Les Closchards, Montmartre, Paris, 1947. I've been posting the progress on the Lunder Facebook page, and on Twitter (if you want to check those sites) for more on the project - including treatment photographs and the technical analysis I will be doing on the surface coating Jones used selectively in the composition.

We use Twitter to inform the public on the times we will be 'on view' and Facebook to provide important links and updates on the projects we are working on. Hope you consider following us on them!

Amber Kerr-Allison
Paintings Conservator, Conservation Fellow
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Lunder Conservation Center
June 22, 2009 at 12:05 PM
Lisa McShane said…
Amber - thanks for posting with all that great information. The Lunder conservation Center was a delight to see!

Lisa
June 22, 2009 at 10:25 PM
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