The Brooklyn Museum actively acquires artwork to round out our encyclopedic collection. On this cart
The Brooklyn Museum actively acquires artwork to round out our encyclopedic collection. On this cart, you’ll see a selection of some of our latest Decorative Arts acquisitions. When potential acquisitions arrive at the Museum, conservators review the artworks for current condition and manufacturing process, but we also evaluate what the artwork would need to go on display. Does it need structural treatment to repair a break? Does it need minor aesthetic attention to remove surface dust and grime from being in dusty storage somewhere? Does it need major treatment to reverse and redo a past treatment that is no longer functioning? Does it need a mount to hold it upright while on display? Does it have special storage needs when it’s not on display? For example, as you can see on this cart, silver objects are wrapped in a brown fabric and placed in plastic bags The brown fabric is actually a commercially available corrosion inhibitor. The fabric contains finely divided silver that acts as a sacrificial layer for sulfur in the air. It attacks the silver in the cloth first, sparing the silver object beneath. By placing it in a plastic bag, it slows down the process even more. The silver artworks will be stored in these bag until they are treated to go on display. All of these potential needs and more are communicated to the curator so they can make an informed decision about the artworks we acquire.Posted by Tina March -- source link
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