EXHIBITION by MICHAELA NEIRO Objects Conservator
Conservator Michaela Neiro cleaning surface dirt from a water gilded frame.
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Conservators prepare for Artful Stories
he frame is an important part of a painting’s story. Its main purpose is to protect a painting from dust, abrasion, and climate. Frames also enhance and direct viewers’ attention to artwork, make it more opulent, and inform a time period or style. Frames can be inconspicuous unless they are in poor condition; missing elements, exposed wood, or
discolored overpaint can bring unwanted attention. It is often easier to get a new frame than to conserve the original, but this rarely is for the best. The artist or owner most likely chose the particular frame to enhance the work of art and relate to the room décor. In preparation for Historic New England’s upcoming paintings exhibition, Artful Stories: Paintings from Historic New England, the conservation staff is HistoricNewEngland.org
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