Services
We offer comprehensive art preservation and conservation services for individuals, private clients, antique and art dealers, fine art galleries, picture framers, museums, historical societies, libraries, fire and flood recovery services, and art collectors.
We specialize in the conservation of 19th and early 20th century oil paintings on canvas and gilded frames. We sometimes work on unusual polychrome (painted) objects. We perform condition surveys and create treatment proposals to develop strategies for the care your personal or institutional art collections.
Paintings conservation usually entails:
removal of surface dirt and grime that discolor the painting removal or reduction of discolored varnish layers that obscure the painting
repair of tears, holes, surface irregularities, and areas of loss
lining and strip-lining of deteriorated canvases to suitable fabrics
mounting of deteriorated canvases to stable supports
consolidation of fragile elements or materials
treating surface deformations such as cupping, tenting, flaking, and powdering
stretching old canvases to existing supports or conservation quality stretcher bars
varnishing to create the proper protection and optical properties of a finished painting
mitigating visual defects in the painting
inpainting (retouching) of losses requiring accurate color matching and texturing
repairing previous restorations that are inappropriate or disfiguring
observing the "principle of minimalism" in treatment strategies
Painting restoration (often confused with conservation) usually entails:
over painting is the deliberate application of paint to disguise severely damaged areas
treatments intended to return cultural property to a known or assumed state, often through the addition of non-original material. Conservators are ethically bound to maintain the "artist's intent" and will not alter pictorial elements to "improve" works of art.
Frame Restoration
This 19th century English landscape was framed in an elaborately ornamented and gold leafed period piece. It was broken into many pieces resulting in losses of key ornamental elements. After recasting the missing components, it was gold leafed and patinated to create a feeling of antiquity.
Frame conservation is limited to stabilizing the object without altering the surface layers or delicate patina.
Frame restoration includes compensation for severe losses, damage, or correcting previous restorations.
Museum Quality Picture Framing
We provide museum quality framing using replicas and period piece frames. They may be small and delicate or substantial and ornamented. We also construct handmade frames with compo ornaments. The framing materials and methods that we use meet the highest conservation standards and aesthetics.
This painting by California Impressionist John Oshea, was framed in a 22k gold, hand carved frame that enhances a fine landscape of this style and period. The frame also serves as protection for the piece.
Appraisal Referrals
Appraisals establish fair market values, replacement costs, insurance estimates, estate estimates, or donation values. This is done by appraisers who are responsible members of certified appraising institutions. (Hint: Those who have a financial interests in your artworks are not objective appraisers. As members of the American Institute for Conservation, we do not provide appraisals.) We can refer you to qualified appraisers.
Authentication
Authentication of an artist's can involve curators, museum scientists, conservation scientists, and conservators. We can direct our clients to professionals who provide this service.
Archival Storage Consultation
Fine art requires an environment within a limited range of temperature and humidity fluctuations. We use archival storage boxes for long term storage with acid free interleaving, mylar encapsulation, and other storage materials. The creation of micro-environments and closed systems are available through our associates.
Research and Auction Records
We access data bases and can often generate a list of auction records to help establish values for your artworks. We do not appraise or authenticate fine art, but we can make referrals for you.
Liaison with Insurance Companies
We represent your interests with insurance companies when you have a valid claim. Insurance companies can be problematic, insensitive, or non-responsive. We help make this a less painful experience.
Condition Surveys and Documentation
Sometimes collections require a thorough examination to document their condition before treatment, storage, or for various insurance purposes or appraisals. We provide on site examinations with written and photographic documentation.
Photographic Documentation
Before, during, and after treatment photos include details, areas of damage, and signatures. Photography, under different lighting conditions, can be a diagnostic tool and uncover previous restorations. We provide color, black and white, slides, digital images, UV light photography, and infrared photography. X radiography is available through our professional associates.
Laboratory Analysis
Laboratory analysis of artist materials assist in the identification of pigments, binding materials, adhesives, and other components. Please contact us so that we may facilitate a connection with conservation scientists and laboratories.
Art Shipping, Packing, and Handling
We make recommendations and referrals to those who specialize in art handling and worldwide shipping.
Half of the art we treat is damaged in transport.
On Location Treatments
We can move our "mini-lab" on location to work on oversize or fragile artworks which will not travel safely. Transporting art is often the greatest potential danger to valuable artworks and antiquities.
Disaster Mitigation
We provide collection management in the event of natural disasters like fires, floods, earthquakes, locust swarms, and alien invasions. This is available for both public and private collections of art.
Pest Management
Vermin of all types can ruin art collections. We can create anoxic chambers for insect infestation, micro-climates, or recommend procedures for pest control.
Environmental Concerns
We assist clients in how to display or store art. This includes temperature, humidity, lighting, and other factors.
Referral Services
As conservation specialists, we have contacts in many related areas.
Mentoring
MÖBIUS: art conservation is committed to mentoring preprogram students who wish to gain practical conservation skills before entering a graduate program. Student interns learn many basic skills, professional ethics, an introduction to scientific methods, and basic business principles. An internship is a short term training experience with the goal of gaining specific knowledge, usually defined or agreed upon at the beginning of the experience. Student interns are recruited from the University of California at Santa Cruz, nearby colleges, or through museums in the area.
