Art is as old as mankind. The art of painting and sculpture has been around for thousands of years, but conservation is a relatively new concept. What is art conservation? Art conservation is the process used to preserve various works of art that would otherwise be damaged or lost through natural or human causes.
It was first practiced in 18th century Europe under the name “chapel painting,” and it didn’t become a formal practice until 1879 in England when an act was passed to protect all works of fine arts. The act also had a few different purposes, such as funding museums and protecting against light damage. Art conservation has been practiced globally since then and has evolved into many different styles over time.
Art conservation isn’t just about preserving artwork, though; it also provides benefits to the world. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, certain pieces can provide insight into ancient cultures or historical events.
The Importance of Art Conservation
Art conservation is the process of preserving various types of works of art that would otherwise be damaged or lost through natural or human causes.
The conservation act goes back as far as ancient Greece, where some pieces were put in a special type of clay casing to avoid light damage. The concept has evolved, along with art and society, into many different styles over time.
Art conservation provides benefits to the world as well. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, certain pieces can provide insight into ancient cultures or historical events. They can also show what life was like for people from those periods.
Benefits of Art Conservation
Art conservation is a relatively new concept, but there are many benefits to it.
It provides the following benefits:
– Preservation of artwork
– Aesthetic appeal
– Insight into ancient cultures and historical events
– Protection against light damage
– Funding for museums
– Funding for preservation of cultural heritage
– Promoting arts and culture
How did Art Conservation Begin?
There are a few different ways that art conservation began. One of the first methods was chapel painting. This method was used in 18th century Europe and allowed artists to paint various works of fine arts onto altars and over doors without damaging them or losing them to time. The chapel painting also allowed for donations, which meant that it helped fund museums and protect against light damage, too.
The next method art conservation began with was the act passed in 1879 in England called “The Protection of Works of Art (1879).” The act protected all works of fine arts and had a few different purposes, like funding museums and protecting against light damage.
In the 20th century, art conservation changed drastically due to two people: Paul Sachs, who pioneered new methods during his career as an art historian at Harvard University, and Henry McBride, who is considered the father of modern American art preservation.
Difference Between Art and Object Preservation
Art conservation is the process used to preserve various types of works of art that would otherwise be damaged or lost through natural or human causes. It was first practiced in 18th century Europe under the name “chapel painting,” and it didn’t become a formal practice until 1879 in England when an act was passed to protect all works of fine arts.
The act also had a few different purposes, such as funding museums and protecting against light damage. Art conservation has been practiced globally since then and has evolved into many different styles over time.
Art conservation isn’t just about preserving artwork, though; it provides benefits to the world as well. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, certain pieces can provide insight into ancient cultures or historical events. They can also show what people were doing at certain times during their history.
Object preservation is about preserving objects that are not classified as art but have significant meaning for people, like artifacts from wars, ancient structures, rare books, etc.
Materials Used in Conservation Practice
The materials used in art conservation are both old and new.
Some of the most common materials used include:
- Paint
- Varnish
- Resin
- Watercolor paint
- Etching compound
- Dry resin
- Gelatin emulsion
- Formaldehyde gas
The three most commonly used materials in art conservation are paint, varnish, and resin. Paint is usually the first choice because it’s durable and it will last a long time. Varnish is also very popular because it’s easy to use, and watermarking is a lot easier with this material than with paint. Resin has been known to be one of the longest-lasting materials for conserving paintings because it doesn’t soak into the canvas like other materials.
It works well with all types of paintings. The gel coat emulsion has a lot more uses than just painting on traditional canvases, so if you want to use this type of material, there are many more options available to you.
Some famous pieces that have been conserved.
The Night Watch, Rembrandt
Gates of Hell, Hieronymus Bosch
The Scream, Edvard Munch
Mona Lisa, Leonardo da Vinci
Dante’s Inferno, Dante Alighieri
Art conservation is necessary because it provides benefits to the world. Art conservation has some good and bad points, but its importance cannot be denied. Art conservation has benefits for the world and for art. Art conservation is needed because it helps to preserve and protect the art for future generations.
