Conservation

Art Talk: What Can We Learn from an Ancient Silver Fragment?
A modern reconstruction of a fragmentary ancient object reveals details about its original appearance and its highly skilled manufacture.

Something You Can’t See
Charlene Briggs, receptionist in the Art Study Center, delves into the story behind one of the most famous materials in the Forbes Pigment Collection.

Art Talk: Lifting the Veil from Herbert Bayer’s Verdure
In celebration of the Bauhaus centennial, one of the largest paintings in the Harvard Art Museums collections was cleaned and restored while being studied alongside preparatory works in the collections.

Art Talk: Cyanotypes—Art and Science at Home
Conservation scientist Julie Wertz talks about the science and process of cyanotypes, also demonstrating how to make one at home.
Homecoming for a Degas Drawing
Paper conservator Anne Driesse discusses the treatment of a long-lost Degas drawing that only recently returned to the museums.

Faktura, Not Fiction: El Lissitzky’s Proun 12E
The market for Russian avant-garde paintings has been plagued with forgeries. Paintings conservator Ellen Davis shows—through the results of her technical examination—exactly how El Lissitzky’s Proun 12E stands apart from the fakes.

Unraveling the (Production) Secrets of an Egyptian Textile
Conservation fellow Julie Wertz studied a large, early Byzantine textile in our collections to discover how it was produced.
Making Blue Paper in the French Countryside
Our paper conservator journeyed to France to learn how to make blue paper in the traditional way.

Staff Picks: Conservator Kate Smith’s Favorite Work of Art
Conservator Kate Smith tells us why a painting by George Inness is her favorite work of art in the Harvard Art Museums.

Pigment Collection Colors All Aspects of the Museums
Only a small portion of our famous Forbes Pigment Collection is on display. But its influence is felt throughout the museums every day.