Become an Art Conservator

In this activity, you will:

• explore the role of an art conservator and how different types of artworks are restored
• repair a damaged drawing using basic conservation techniques
• examine how works of art can be protected from damage and why they are worth preserving

• Paper
• Pencils
• Glue sticks
• White tissue paper
• A small spray bottle with water
• Heavy books

Preserving What Matters

Think of something you own that’s important to you and that you want to keep for many years. If it became dirty, torn, or damaged, you might take the time to clean or repair it because it’s meaningful to you. You might also keep it in a safe place to protect it.

Many people feel the same way about works of art because they tell stories, connect us to history, and inspire creativity. Conservators help preserve artworks by carefully cleaning, repairing, and protecting them so future generations can enjoy them too.

Different Types of Art, Different Ways to Repair It

Conservators use specialized techniques to repair and preserve different forms of art.

Paintings

One common problem conservators see in paintings is cracking and flaking paint.

Why does this happen? Think about what happens to your lips when the air is very dry or cold. They can become chapped and crack because there is less moisture in the air.

Just as skin can dry out and crack, paint can become brittle and begin to crack or flake away when it is exposed to changes in temperature and humidity over time.

How do conservators repair cracking and flaking paint? Conservators use tiny brushes and special glues to carefully reattach loose paint flakes so they don’t fall off. They may also fill in small areas of missing color to help the artwork look complete again.

Sculptures

Marble sculptures can become discolored over time. They often start off bright white, but they can become off-white or beige as they age.

Why does this happen? Like white fabric sneakers that have tiny spaces between the threads, marble sculptures have pores that can trap dust and dirt over time, causing the sculpture to look discolored.

How do conservators restore the white color? Conservators use a technique similar to applying a face mask. They spread a wet clay paste over the marble, and as it dries, it pulls dirt from the stone's pores.

Drawings

You'll discover this one for yourself through the activity that follows.

Restore a Drawing

Spend about five minutes creating a drawing on a blank piece of paper. Then, crumple the paper into a ball. Open it back up and tear it in a few places as well. As an art conservator, your job is to carefully repair your damaged artwork.

Repair the tears: Carefully align the torn edges. Instead of plastic tape—which permanently stains paper—apply a thin layer of glue stick along a thin strip of white tissue paper, placing it on the back of the page so that it isn’t visible on the front.

Flatten the creases: Use a spray bottle to lightly mist the back of your drawing to avoid getting water on the front. Then place the drawing under a stack of heavy books overnight.

Conservators at Getty use similar techniques to carefully preserve artworks so they can be enjoyed for generations to come.

Think Like a Conservator

Now that you've repaired your artwork, share it with the class or in a small group.

Discuss the following questions:

• How did it feel to damage your drawing?
• How did it feel to repair it?
• Besides crumpling and tearing, what else could damage your artwork over time?
• If your artwork was displayed in a museum, how would you help protect it?
• Why might it be important to repair a work of art instead of replacing it with a new one?