Susanne joined the Getty Museum in 2016. A native of Germany, she obtained a certificate in archaeological conservation from the Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum, Mainz, Germany in 1987. Among other positions, she served as objects conservator at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (19902016). She worked on excavations in Egypt and Sudan, taught in the Luxor East Bank Groundwater Lowering Project at the American Research Center in Egypt field school (20082010), and explored preservation of metalwork in Nepal (supported by an individual grant from the Asian Cultural Council, NY, 2015). Her research interests include ancient Mediterranean and Nile Valley material culture, site preservation, relocation of monumental sculptures, and the study of ancient and historic metalwork. She is co-author, with Yvonne Markowitz, of Looking at Jewelry (Getty Publications, 2019).
Conservators at the Getty Villa Museum are responsible for the preservation, treatment, and technical research of all material types in the antiquities collection. The department’s work also involves preventive care of its collection, encompassing climate control, environmental monitoring and mount making, and oversight of exhibition installations and outgoing loans. Getty conservators conduct in-depth technological studies and material research of objects—from within the collection and on special loan—to gain insight into their specific history, including methods of manufacture, use, deterioration and/or alterations and to determine how these affect their treatment, preservation, and display. The department plays a leading international role in the development, manufacture, and evaluation of approaches and fixtures for the protection of delicate and monumental objects on display in the event of earthquakes, known as seismic damage mitigation. Committed to conservation training, the department hosts interns through the Getty internship program, and supports the UCLA/Getty Interdepartmental Program in the Conservation of Cultural Heritage.
CONTACT
PUBLICATIONS
Looking at Jewelry: A Guide to Terms, Styles, and Techniques
Containing more than eighty color illustrations, this guide will be invaluable to all those wishing to increase their understanding and enjoyment of the art of jewelry.
VIDEOS
Uncovering an Ancient Bronze Statuette from Albania
Watch more Antiquities Conservation videosNEWS & STORIES
A Job of Making
An inside look at an experiment that could change how art institutions worldwide display fragile objects
RESOURCES
Bibliography
Publications by Antiquities Conservation Staff
Download Bibliography (PDF, 384 KB)
CAMEO Materials Database
The materials database from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston's Conservation and Art Materials Encyclopedia Online contains chemical, physical, visual, and analytical information on over 10,000 historic and contemporary materials.
American Institute for Conservation
The American Institute for Conservation (AIC) is the national membership association for conservators and allied professionals who preserve art and cultural heritage. Together with the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation, they promote the preservation and protection of cultural heritage and serve as a resource on conservation for the general public.
CAST:ING
The CAST:ING project is a framework to advance the understanding of bronze sculpture through contributions from an international team composed of 52 conservators, scientists, curators, art historians, historians, archaeologists, metallurgists, and craftspeople.
CONFERENCES
UPCOMING CONFERENCE
The 12th International Round Table on Polychromy in Ancient Sculpture and Architecture will be held at the Getty Center and Getty Villa from November 18-21, 2024.
Click here for more information and to register.
RECENT CONFERENCES
The lectures were recorded and are available on Getty's YouTube channel.
Click here to see recently published research on the Mensa Isiaca by Getty conservators and scientists.