Conservation

Our Conservation Department has the difficult but rewarding task of caring for the Barnes art collection. Conservators are responsible for an incredibly diverse range of objects, from paintings, frames, works on paper, ceramics, metalwork, sculptures, furniture, textiles, jewelry, and even buildings.

Conservation encompasses all aspects of collection care, including treatments, examination, documentation, and research. In addition, conservators are tasked with environmental monitoring, maintaining safe display environments, and providing regular collection housekeeping.

Barnes conservators also take an active role in the study of art and artists in the Barnes collection through first-hand research. Drawing from their own training in art and science, and through collaboration with international colleagues, their findings are shared with the public with the aim of advancing knowledge of a particular technique, object, or artist's work.

Lead support for our conservation program is provided by the Pew Charitable Trusts and an anonymous donor. Additional funding is provided by the Wyeth Foundation for American Art, the Walter J. Miller Trust, the Marjorie M. and Irwin Nat Pincus Fund, and Deborah Glass.