A Project for Conservation
On February 1, 2018, the Mulvane Art Museum launched a project titled Endangered Art to fund the technical study and conservation of oil paintings in the permanent collection. Working with fine art conservation and frame specialists, the museum identified a select group of paintings that were "most in need of conservation." Curatorial staff then incorporated these works in a series of rare exhibitions, providing the public an opportunity to see paintings pre and post conservation.
On Friday, May 4, 2018, Mulvane staff unveiled the first painting to receive conservation--an untitled seventeenth-century oil painting depicting the biblical narrative of the meeting of David and Abigail. Since then, generous donations have funded the treatment of the following paintings:
Aloysius O’Kelly, The Path to the Well, late-19th century
Clarisse M. Laurent, Untitled (Portrait of a Man), 1891
George Stone, Model for a Head of Christ, early-20th century
Clarisse M. Laurent, Eggs, 1892
Charles W. Hawthorne, Wildflowers, 1928
Jacopo Bassano, untitled (Portrait of a Cardinal), 16th century
Albert Bierstadt, Lander’s Peak, 1863
Charles Émile Jacque, untitled, 19th century
David Johnson, Catskill Mountains, mid-19th century
David Johnson, Maine Coast, mid-19th century
after Paulus Potter, Rural Scene, n.d.
Alfred Montgomery, Sheep’s Fold, late-19th century
Ginevra Ingersoll, The Young Sailor, 1913
George Gardner Symons, Evening Light and Winding River, 1910
Dorothy Fulton, Portrait of Margaret Whittemore, 1932
Emil Carlsen, Yellow Roses, 1880s
John F. Carlson, Frosty Morning, 1927
Clarisse M. Laurent, Peaches, 1901
The generated research and correlated programming for this ongoing project provide insights into the field of art conservation, underscoring Endangered Art’s interdisciplinary scope—utilizing science and technology. In addition, this comprehensive endeavor engages the community personally, allowing visitors and members of Washburn University to feel a sense of ownership and responsibility for the artworks as they receive conservation. Please call (785) 670-1124 if you would like more information about this project.