FROM CONSERVATION LABORATORY TO GALLERY

An Exhibition of Rare European Circus Banners by Frans De Vos

Deborah Walk, Curator of the Circus Museum

Nov 7 — Mar 29, 2015

Museum of Art, Searing Wing n Examination and documentation before, during, and after treatment n Consolidation to stabilize insecure paint layers and canvas n Elimination of superficial and ingrained grime layers to remove harmful substances and reveal the original paint colors and design n Removal of hand stitching, multiple layers of canvas patches, and an array of unsavory adhesives that had been used to repair canvas tears in the past n Reduction of pronounced canvas deformation in the form of creases, folds, puckers, and draws n Delicate repair of canvas tears and providing of canvas inserts in loss areas n Structural reinforcement of the upper torn sections of the canvases by adhesive lining n Infilling of paint loss areas n Inpainting of fills, creases, and other areas of paint loss, avoiding painting over original paint layers, except where non-removable stains and accretions were lightly overglazed n Modification of the original wooden mounting bars to enable repeated reattachment or removal for display or storage in future n Providing recommendations for future care, storage, installation, and display of the banners

A set of early twentieth century circus banners created by artist Frans De Vos will be exhibited beginning November 7, 2014 in the Museum of Art’s Ulla R. and Arthur F. Searing Wing. At an impressive size of 9’ x 9.5’, these rare works of art were intended for use as circus entrance banners or stage backdrops in circus acts, giving a clear sense of the spectacle of the early European circus and the excitement in store on stage for circus patrons. Purchased in 1989 by philanthropists Howard and Janice Tibbals and graciously gifted to The Ringling in the early 1990’s, this unique collection was too unstable to be exhibited in its current condition. Were it not for Howard Tibbals’ keen eye and commitment to preserving the rich history of the circus, these banners might have been discarded or lost entirely.

In 2004 the oil on canvas banners were sent to professional conservators in the ARTEX Conservation Laboratory in Landover, MD., where they were carefully examined and documented. Led at that time by the Director of Conservation Services, Barbara Ramsay, the conservation team carried out major conservation treatment of all four banners between 2005 and 2012 with the aim of restoring the integrity of the banners so that they would be preserved for the long term and be rendered suitable for display. The set had suffered severe damage over their lifetimes – both structurally (weakening the canvas) and aesthetically (making the images unsightly). Conservators worked together over the seven year span of time to restore the appearance of the banners to a state that was much closer to what the artist originally intended, but not making them appear too perfect or like new. An attempt was made to retain some signs of age, wear, and use that would remain as a testament to the colorful history of the banners.

The Ringling’s Chief Conservator, Barbara Ramsay, shares some conservation highlights.