Elle Friedberg
UNTITLED (PLANTS)
Carved wood
Materials
20th century
Year
George Lopez
Maker
Collection
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Before treatment.
FARMERS AND COWS TILLING
Carved wood, leather
Materials
20th century
Year
George Lopez
Maker
Collection
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Before treatment.
Image: Jason Wierzbicki, Conservation Photographer
These three objects were treated for a special exhibition "Of God and Country: American Art from the Jill and Sheldon Bonovitz Collection." Before treatment, all three objects were covered in a significant layer of dust and grime and had several detached, broken, or missing wooden elements. The treatment involved surface cleaning, stabilization, and reattachment of separated elements with Lee Valley High Tack Fish Glue. These objects will be on display through January 1, 2024.
CONDITION BEFORE TREATMENT
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Overall surface dust and grime
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Multiple broken off, detached, or missing leaves and wings.
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Loose and misaligned stems.
Detail image of dust accumulation and broken off leaf.
KEY TREATMENT STEPS
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Dry cleaned with a soft brush and a HEPA vacuum, followed by cosmetic sponges.
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Collated and reattached detached and broken off wooden element (leaves and wings) with Lee Valley High Tack Fish Glue.
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Realigned and stabilized two loose stems with shims of Japanese paper and Lee Valley High Tack Fish Glue.
Photo: Kasey Hamilton
