Conservation Up Close

Get an up-close look at two remarkable paintings by Edgar Degas: the double portraits Edmondo and Thérèse Morbilli (about 1865) and Degas’s Father Listening to Lorenzo Pagans Playing the Guitar (about 1869–72). Participants can examine the paintings like never before and learn more about the extraordinary artist who continually pushed the boundaries of his materials.

With Rhona MacBeth, director of Conservation and Scientific Research, and Eijk and Rose-Marie van Otterloo Conservator of Paintings, Head of Paintings Conservation.

Discover what conservators and conservation scientists do every day to care for the artworks in the Museum’s collections. See the current case displays exploring the use of blue colorants and hear about some of the treatments underway in the labs that are visible through glass windows.

With Yuqi Chock, conservation fellow, community engagement.

Get an up-close look at two remarkable paintings by Edgar Degas: the double portraits Edmondo and Thérèse Morbilli (about 1865) and Degas’s Father Listening to Lorenzo Pagans Playing the Guitar (about 1869–72). Participants can examine the paintings like never before and learn more about the extraordinary artist who continually pushed the boundaries of his materials.

With Rhona MacBeth, director of Conservation and Scientific Research, and Eijk and Rose-Marie van Otterloo Conservator of Paintings, Head of Paintings Conservation.

MFA Boston is home to the oldest conservation studio dedicated to the preservation of East Asian paintings in the US. Treatment of these unique artworks requires a wide variety of traditional materials, including handmade papers, custom woven silks, decorative fittings, and unusual tools. Discover this fascinating and little-known field, and see how conservators combine traditional techniques with modern methods to analyze pigments, examine artworks, and artificially age silk.

With Tanya Uyeda, conservator, Asian Conservation Studio.

Discover what conservators and conservation scientists do every day to care for the artworks in the Museum’s collections. See the current case displays exploring the use of blue colorants and hear about some of the treatments underway in the labs that are visible through glass windows.

With Yuqi Chock, conservation fellow, community engagement.

MFA Boston is home to the oldest conservation studio dedicated to the preservation of East Asian paintings in the US. Treatment of these unique artworks requires a wide variety of traditional materials, including handmade papers, custom woven silks, decorative fittings, and unusual tools. Discover this fascinating and little-known field, and see how conservators combine traditional techniques with modern methods to analyze pigments, examine artworks, and artificially age silk.

With Tanya Uyeda, conservator, Asian Conservation Studio.

Discover what conservators and conservation scientists do every day to care for the artworks in the Museum’s collections. See the current case displays exploring the use of blue colorants and hear about some of the treatments underway in the labs that are visible through glass windows.

With Yuqi Chock, conservation fellow, community engagement.

Learn about the yearslong effort to prepare and conserve a rare 1485 Bartolomeo Vivarini altarpiece, Virgin and the Dead Christ with the Ascension and Saints (1485). A multimedia artifact, the monumental work includes a sculpture, nine painted panels, and the original frame. Hear how objects, paintings, and frame conservators joined forces, combining their expertise to get the altarpiece ready for display.

With Abigail Hykin, Robert P. and Carol T. Henderson Head of Objects Conservation.

Learn about the yearslong effort to prepare and conserve a rare 1485 Bartolomeo Vivarini altarpiece, Virgin and the Dead Christ with the Ascension and Saints (1485). A multimedia artifact, the monumental work includes a sculpture, nine painted panels, and the original frame. Hear how objects, paintings, and frame conservators joined forces, combining their expertise to get the altarpiece ready for display.

With Christine Storti, head of Furniture and Frame Conservation.

Jizai okimono (articulated animals) are marvels of Japanese metalworking. Measuring nearly seven feet long, MFA Boston’s articulated model of a dragon (second half of the 19th century) is among the largest in the world. See a demonstration of the dragon’s naturalistic movements, made possible by 293 articulated joints, and, through X-radiographs, take a close look at this spectacular object, inside and out, to discover the secrets of its construction.

With Abigail Hykin, Robert P. and Carol T. Henderson Head of Objects Conservation.

Discover what conservators and conservation scientists do every day to care for the artworks in the Museum’s collections. See the current case displays exploring the use of blue colorants and hear about some of the treatments underway in the labs that are visible through glass windows.

With Rhona MacBeth, director of Conservation and Scientific Research, and Eijk and Rose-Marie van Otterloo Conservator of Paintings, Head of Paintings Conservation.

Jizai okimono (articulated animals) are marvels of Japanese metalworking. Measuring nearly seven feet long, MFA Boston’s articulated model of a dragon (second half of the 19th century) is among the largest in the world. See a demonstration of the dragon’s naturalistic movements, made possible by 293 articulated joints, and, through X-radiographs, take a close look at this spectacular object, inside and out, to discover the secrets of its construction.

With Abigail Hykin, Robert P. and Carol T. Henderson Head of Objects Conservation.

MFA Boston has the most extensive and important collection of Nubian objects outside the Sudan, a result of a series of expeditions the Museum undertook with Harvard University in the early 20th century. Many works have been on tour for the past four years, traveling the United States and the world. View highlights from the collection and learn about efforts to conserve them.

With Christie Pohl, associate conservator, Objects Conservation Laboratory.

Discover what conservators and conservation scientists do every day to care for the artworks in the Museum’s collections. See the current case displays exploring the use of blue colorants and hear about some of the treatments underway in the labs that are visible through glass windows.

With Rhona MacBeth, director of Conservation and Scientific Research, and Eijk and Rose-Marie van Otterloo Conservator of Paintings, Head of Paintings Conservation.

MFA Boston has the most extensive and important collection of Nubian objects outside the Sudan, a result of a series of expeditions the Museum undertook with Harvard University in the early 20th century. Many works have been on tour for the past four years, traveling the United States and the world. View highlights from the collection and learn about efforts to conserve them.

With Christie Pohl, associate conservator, Objects Conservation Laboratory.

Discover what conservators and conservation scientists do every day to care for the artworks in the Museum’s collections. See the current case displays exploring the use of blue colorants and hear about some of the treatments underway in the labs that are visible through glass windows.

With Rhona MacBeth, director of Conservation and Scientific Research, and Eijk and Rose-Marie van Otterloo Conservator of Paintings, Head of Paintings Conservation.

Learn about the yearslong effort to prepare and conserve a rare 1485 Bartolomeo Vivarini altarpiece, Virgin and the Dead Christ with the Ascension and Saints (1485). A multimedia artifact, the monumental work includes a sculpture, nine painted panels, and the original frame. Hear how objects, paintings, and frame conservators joined forces, combining their expertise to get the altarpiece ready for display.

With Lydia Vagts, conservator, Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo Paintings Conservation Studio.

Learn about the yearslong effort to prepare and conserve a rare 1485 Bartolomeo Vivarini altarpiece, Virgin and the Dead Christ with the Ascension and Saints (1485). A multimedia artifact, the monumental work includes a sculpture, nine painted panels, and the original frame. Hear how objects, paintings, and frame conservators joined forces, combining their expertise to get the altarpiece ready for display.

With Gregory Porter, assistant conservator, Furniture and Frame Conservation Laboratory.

See artworks from the Museum’s collection like never before using multispectral imaging. This type of imaging can provide valuable information about original materials and techniques, as well as previous restorations, which help conservators evaluate different treatment approaches.

With Evelyn Mayberger, assistant conservator, Objects Conservation Laboratory.

Discover what conservators and conservation scientists do every day to care for the artworks in the Museum’s collections. See the current case displays exploring the use of blue colorants and hear about some of the treatments underway in the labs that are visible through glass windows.

With Yuqi Chock, conservation fellow, community engagement.

See artworks from the Museum’s collection like never before using multispectral imaging. This type of imaging can provide valuable information about original materials and techniques, as well as previous restorations, which help conservators evaluate different treatment approaches.

With Evelyn Mayberger, assistant conservator, Objects Conservation Laboratory.

There is often more than meets the eye in a work of art; scientific techniques in examination and analysis can reveal much about how an object was made, what it is made of, and why it may look very different now than it did originally. Using these close-looking processes, learn about the life of a few objects from MFA Boston’s collections.

With Richard Newman, head of Scientific Research.

Discover what conservators and conservation scientists do every day to care for the artworks in the Museum’s collections. See the current case displays exploring the use of blue colorants and hear about some of the treatments underway in the labs that are visible through glass windows.

With Rhona MacBeth, director of Conservation and Scientific Research, and Eijk and Rose-Marie van Otterloo Conservator of Paintings, Head of Paintings Conservation.

There is often more than meets the eye in a work of art; scientific techniques in examination and analysis can reveal much about how an object was made, what it is made of, and why it may look very different now than it did originally. Using these close-looking processes, learn about the life of a few objects from MFA Boston’s collections.

With Richard Newman, head of Scientific Research.

Conservators specializing in works on paper care for everything from old master prints to contemporary photographs. Can they remove stains? Mend tears? Bring back faded colors? Join in this discussion see examples that demonstrate what’s possible in the world of paper conservation.

With Alison Luxner, conservator, Virginia Herrick Deknatel Paper Conservation Laboratory.

Discover what conservators and conservation scientists do every day to care for the artworks in the Museum’s collections. See the current case displays exploring the use of blue colorants and hear about some of the treatments underway in the labs that are visible through glass windows.

With Yuqi Chock, conservation fellow, community engagement.

Learn about the yearslong effort to prepare and conserve a rare 1485 Bartolomeo Vivarini altarpiece, Virgin and the Dead Christ with the Ascension and Saints (1485). A multimedia artifact, the monumental work includes a sculpture, nine painted panels, and the original frame. Hear how objects, paintings, and frame conservators joined forces, combining their expertise to get the altarpiece ready for display.

With Christine Storti, head of Furniture and Frame Conservation.

The “Progress Vase” was made by the well-known Reed and Barton silversmith manufacturing company of Taunton, Massachusetts, for display at the 1876 Centennial International Exhibition in Philadelphia. Take a close look at the intriguing fabrication details on this large sculptural commemorative work, and learn how X-radiography and elemental surface analysis informed treatment decisions.

With Gerri Strickler, conservator, Objects Conservation Laboratory.

Discover what conservators and conservation scientists do every day to care for the artworks in the Museum’s collections. See the current case displays exploring the use of blue colorants and hear about some of the treatments underway in the labs that are visible through glass windows.

With Rhona MacBeth, director of Conservation and Scientific Research, and Eijk and Rose-Marie van Otterloo Conservator of Paintings, Head of Paintings Conservation.

The “Progress Vase” was made by the well-known Reed and Barton silversmith manufacturing company of Taunton, Massachusetts, for display at the 1876 Centennial International Exhibition in Philadelphia. Take a close look at the intriguing fabrication details on this large sculptural commemorative work, and learn how X-radiography and elemental surface analysis informed treatment decisions.

With Gerri Strickler, conservator, Objects Conservation Laboratory.

Japanese paper was an early export to the Netherlands, and Rembrandt capitalized on its unique qualities in his printmaking. Discover why Rembrandt was smitten with Asian papers when others were dismissive, and compare the artist’s print impressions on Japanese paper with those printed on European papers.

With Katrina Newbury, conservator, Virginia Herrick Deknatel Paper Conservation Laboratory.

Discover what conservators and conservation scientists do every day to care for the artworks in the Museum’s collections. See the current case displays exploring the use of blue colorants and hear about some of the treatments underway in the labs that are visible through glass windows.

With Yuqi Chock, conservation fellow, community engagement.

The loincloth belonging to Maiherpra, a Nubian attendant in the Pharaoh’s court, is perhaps the greatest piece of leatherwork ever excavated from the Valley of the Kings. Explore the loincloth’s possible origins and how it may have been worn by Maiherpra around 1400 BCE. Consider the mysteries surrounding its discovery and the incredible skill required for its fabrication.

With Joel Stephenson, conservator, Gabriella and Leo Beranek Textile Conservation Laboratory.

MFA Boston has one of the most extensive collections of pottery from the ancient Greek and Roman world. Many of these ceramics were restored when they arrived at the Museum more than a hundred years ago and now need re-treatment. Focusing on three Etruscan vessels, dive into the evolution of approaches to ceramic restoration, and learn about the use of modern conservation materials and techniques.

With LeeAnn Gordon, associate conservator, Objects Conservation Laboratory.

Discover what conservators and conservation scientists do every day to care for the artworks in the Museum’s collections. See the current case displays exploring the use of blue colorants and hear about some of the treatments underway in the labs that are visible through glass windows.

With Yuqi Chock, conservation fellow, community engagement.

MFA Boston has one of the most extensive collections of pottery from the ancient Greek and Roman world. Many of these ceramics were restored when they arrived at the Museum more than a hundred years ago and now need re-treatment. Focusing on three Etruscan vessels, dive into the evolution of approaches to ceramic restoration, and learn about the use of modern conservation materials and techniques.

With LeeAnn Gordon, associate conservator, Objects Conservation Laboratory.