The Art of Painting Conservation

Museum of Old Newbury Announces Program: The Art of Painting Conservation

Newburyport MA – April 18, 2017: Newburyport, MA: On Sunday, April 23^rd, the Museum of Old Newbury will present The Art of Painting Conservation with Theresa Carmichael, owner of Carmichael Art Conservation in Bedford, MA . The program will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the Benjamin Lecture Hall at the Cushing House, 98 High Street, Newburyport. MA. A reception will follow.

The illustrated lecture will explore numerous treatments and techniques based on Carmichael’s three decades of experience. Today restoration has evolved into a far more sophisticated interdisciplinary profession known as conservation. Conservation blends an understanding of artists’ techniques, art history, chemistry, and technical skills. When performed properly, with skill and sensitivity, conservation will preserve and extend the life of an artwork for future generations and preserve the owner’s investment.

Theresa has conserved several portraits of Cushing family members from the museum's collection, and her talk will explain the processes she used on these and other paintings.

Attendees to the lecture are encouraged to bring a painting for a free condition analysis and treatment proposal by Theresa and her colleague Geraldine Brooks after the presentation. If you've ever wondered about getting a painting conserved, bring it for an evaluation.

Theresa holds diplomas from the L’Universita Internazionale del Arte in Florence, Italy, the Courtauld Institute of Art in London, and the center for Conservation and technical studies at Harvard University. She has been working in the field for over 30 years and is a member of the American Institute of Conservation, the International Institute of conservation, and the New England Conservation Association.

For reservations to Sunday’s program, please call the museum office at 978-462-2681 or email info@newburyhistory.org. Space is limited.

The Museum of Old Newbury preserves and interprets the history of Newbury, Newburyport, and West Newbury from pre-settlement to the present. The Museum carries out its mission through the preservation and administration of the Cushing House, the Perkins Engraving Plant, and other historic structures on its High Street campus and furthers its purpose through lectures, exhibitions, educational programs, publications, and research.

PHOTO CAPTION: Portrait of Lydia Cushing by Thomas Bayley Lawson before and after conservation. Courtesy photo