Behind the Scenes with Conservation

Fascinating online lecture from the National Gallery focusing on the work of the conservation department.

Larry Keith, Head of Conservation, talked to us from the studio using Poussin’s “Cephalus and Aurora” from the 1630s which he is working on at the moment as an example for the points he was making.

He took us though the history of conservation at the gallery and some early controversies. I was amused to hear of a Parliamentary select committee getting involved in the 1850s which I can’t imagine happening now.

We looked at the issues that can occur using this painting to discuss the effect of darkening varnish, how colours change and what to do about tears as this work was damaged by falling slate when it was in storage in the Second World War.

He talked about how works are chosen for conservation and the principles by which the gallery works using materials that can be reversed if future generations change their minds about the treatment of a picture.

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