Conserving Woman with Gold Necklace

Conservation: Woman with Gold Necklace

Lunder Conservation Center Conservator Ann Creager removes the last patch of a layer of old varnish from this portrait (circa 1850), Woman with Gold Necklace

Cassie
July 10, 2006

Over the past week I’ve paused several times in front of this project in progress at the Lunder Conservation Center.  What was that yellow splotch on the woman’s face?

I spoke to conservator Ann Creager, who explained that she was removing the last patch of a layer of old varnish from the this portrait (circa 1850), Woman with Gold Necklace.

Categories

Recent Posts

Detail of Phoebe Kline. She is sitting in front of orchids and smiling.
Behind-the-ScenesEducation
04/18/2024
What's It Like to Be a Docent at SAAM for Fifty Years?
Docent Phoebe Kline began at SAAM in 1974 and she's still going strong
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
A photograph of a woman in front of artwork
From the Director
04/08/2024
Director's Letter: Spring Ahead
More visitors and new exhibitions highlight a season of change.
 Stephanie Stebich, SAAM's Margaret and Terry Stent Direction in the museum's Lincoln Gallery. Photo by Gene Young. 
Stephanie Stebich
The Margaret and Terry Stent Director, Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery
Marian Anderson and symbols that surround her life
ExhibitionsFrom the Collection
04/05/2024
A Portrait of Marian Anderson
William H. Johnson portrayed the singer in multiple paintings, including in his Fighters for Freedom series.
A photograph of Howard Kaplan on a plane.
Howard Kaplan
Writer