Sweet Barbizon picture of mother and child looks worse after “restoration” and will look even worse with time! The painting was damaged because of poor handling or bad storage. Then someone, probably an artist, patched the rip/puncture and now it looks worse. Was there a alternative, better way to repair this? Should paintings be patched […]
SYS Blog
Liquid Stain on Lithograph of a Woman by Henri Matisse
This work on art on paper came into the lab because it has a water stain on the lower right hand corner, which makes this valuable print look awful… and takes away from the value. What causes water stains? I spoke with Scott Haskins, our conservator and he said one of the reasons this could […]
Proper Art Storage Drama – Landscape with Blue Flowers by Robert Wood
This painting came into the lab because it contained several problems: It had couple dents towards the middle and in the lower right hand corner. There is a small tear. Also it was cracking badly. The dents and rips could have been avoided! This damage was probably caused by storing it badly and obviously leaning […]
Huell Howser Star Sighting
I was in Palm Springs last Friday (It was a 118 degs!) having dinner with an art dealer and collector when, to my surprise, in through the door came Huell Howser, Hollywood Icon and host of the TV series California Gold. How long has that program been on the air!!!? Talking about staying power! It […]
Cleaning Lady Strikes Again! Plus Flaking Painting and Bad Restorations
This delightful scene of high society Veneto, Italy at the end of the 1700’s was purchased by its collector and brought to us for its problem of flaking paint. Apparently, the cleaning lady’s damp rag wiping down the lower areas (most easily reached) has caused this oft seen problem… which is totally avoidable. But even […]
Protecting and Saving Your Family’s Heirlooms and Memorabilia
Family heirlooms and memorabilia have a special “value” that you should consider. This graceful Italian alabaster sculpture is a treasured heirloom from the owner’s mother. It was originally bought in the 1920’s in Florence and was passed down from mother to daughter. Sadly, due to improper packing and storage, the center section broke into several pieces. This greatly upset […]
Russian Old Master Painting Rescued From Trash
Recently, this artwork was politically classified to be thrown away until a sharp-eyed collector saved it from the trash. What probably happened, over the last 100 years, was that after a small rip had been repaired poorly, then again, and then another rip… and finally, the damage and the dirty surface made it fit for […]
Even Trash Can Be Turned Into Art Treasure with Proper Conservation
Shockingly, this stunning piece was found flaking and dingy in the garbage! An inept attempt was made to “restore” it that involved an abundant application of wax to hold the painting together and a wipe with solvent to remove part of the dirt. The Dumpster Diver who discovered the painting donated it to a collector who recognized that under […]
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Happy Kwansaa everyone! (The official “holiday” website: https://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org) Independent of how the week …Read More »Taking Care Of Original Family Collectibles (Memory Triggers)
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