Conservators undertaking treatment on John Herbert’s <em>Moses bringing down the Tables of the Law</em> c.1872–78 as part of The John Herbert Public Conservation Project<br/>
Collection

Conservation

The NGV Conservation department cares for the rich and diverse State collection to ensure it can be appreciated both now and for future generations. In addition, the department is responsible for monitoring the condition, safe display and transport of loans. Conservation includes a range of actions undertaken for the long-term preservation of cultural objects such as examination, documentation, treatment and preventive measures, integrated with scientific knowledge, research and education. Overarching all these activities is our adherence to the Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Materials (AICCM) Code of Ethics and Code of Practice.

Like the Collection itself, the Conservation department employs specialist Conservation Art Technicians and conservators specialising in a diverse range of media types including objects, paintings, frames and furniture, fashion and textiles, paper and photography, First Nations art, and Contemporary and variable media art as well as specialists in exhibition and loan conservation. Conservators have a cross-disciplinary skill-set that encompasses technical treatment skills and art historical knowledge underpinned by scientific enquiry and risk management to collections. Conservators are also active in the professional community, engaging with various local and international institutions, and regularly publishing technical art history research, and delivering lectures.

The NGV Conservation department does not treat personal works of art. Please refer to the AICCM Professional Members page, for personal advice on your precious belongings.

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THALLON’S LEDGER

This historic workbook contains thousands of handwritten client orders for John Thallon, the framer of choice for many artists in late 19th century Melbourne. Each ledger entry has been transcribed, and along with a search function and client biographical information, provides a unique insight into picture framing, art, and society during this fascinating period in Melbourne’s history.

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Rembrandt’s Watermarked Paper

Revered as a prolific and experimental printmaker, Rembrandt sourced and printed on a great variety of papers. Within these papers are hidden symbols called watermarks, they are subtle and hidden motifs left by papermakers of the past. Centuries later, NGV paper conservators have captured these watermarks within Rembrandt’s prints, which are available for the public to explore here.

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Collection Environments

Conservation of the NGV Collection requires a multi-pronged approach from tailored care for individual artworks to large-scale measures, such as controlling the gallery environment, to enhance the longevity of the entire Collection.

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The NGV Centre for Frame Research

The NGV Centre for Frame Research supports and promotes excellence in picture frame research, frame reproduction and preservation, building upon the NGV Conservation team’s work with frames over the last thirty years. The development of the Centre is generously supported by the Professor AGL Shaw AO Bequest.

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Caring for First Nations Collections

The NGV houses a significant collection of First Nations artworks including around 4000 Aboriginal Australian and Torres Strait Islander works. Caring for First Nations collections relies on maintaining a stable environment, and monitoring gallery and storage spaces to prevent changes in the materials.

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