The Westmoreland Museum of American Art houses a diverse permanent collection of over 4,000 objects, including paintings, works on paper, sculptures, and decorative arts. Many of these pieces are considered treasures of American art, making their proper care and conservation critical to preserving their value and integrity for future generations.
The Museum employs stringent environmental controls to protect its collection from deterioration.
These include:
Temperature and Humidity Control: The museum maintains a stable environment with carefully regulated temperature and humidity levels to prevent damage.
Light Regulation: Light exposure is a significant factor in the degradation of artwork. The museum uses controlled light levels, and frames are equipped with UV-protective glass that blocks 99% of harmful ultraviolet light. To further protect sensitive pieces, their time on display is limited.
For works on paper, the museum uses high-quality archival materials. These include acid-free, neutral, or basic pH paper for matting and mounting. The museum also ensures that UV-protective glass shields these works, blocking harmful rays that can cause fading and discoloration.
Sculptures are displayed on stable surfaces to prevent movement and potential damage. They are regularly dusted with soft, chemical-free cloths or gentle brushes made of goat hair to keep them clean without causing wear or scratches.
Museum staff are trained to handle objects with the utmost care, using clean, dry hands or gloves to avoid transferring oils, dirt, or moisture to the surfaces. When damage does occur, professional conservators—experts skilled in chemistry, art, and art history—are engaged to restore the piece.
Conservation treatments are approached with a focus on reversibility and respect for the artist’s original intent. Prior to any work, conservators document the piece with photographs and written reports. These same steps are taken following the treatment to ensure a complete record of the restoration process.
By employing these meticulous preservation methods, The Westmoreland ensures that its treasured collection will continue to be enjoyed for years to come.
If you have any questions about our collection or the conservation process, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can contact dwevans@thewestmoreland.org for more details.
Walk through the galleries and you’ll find many treasures from the Museum’s Permanent Collection: paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, and decorative arts. With so much to see, you might be surprised […]
One of The Westmoreland’s most recent conservation projects was the reframing of Thomas Hovenden’s Death of Elaine, a painting illustrating a passage from Alfred Lord Tennyson’s collection of poems Idylls of the King.
Four works on paper from the Museum’s permanent collection recently underwent a conservation ‘spa’ treatment, complete with rejuvenating baths resulting in wonderfully restored artworks.