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 serious art collectors. Many of our best clients retain us to treat a single painting or artwork that has personal and irreplaceable sentimental value and has been handed down through the family.

We specialize in the conservation of 19th and early 20th century oil paintings on canvas and on period piece, gilded frames. Occasionally, we are called upon to work on unusual polychrome (painted) objects. Our conservation staff is available for consultation and creating condition surveys and treatment proposals to assess the needs of your personal or institutional collection.

removal of surface dirt and grime that discolor the painting

removal 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

observing the "principle of reversibility" in treatment methods

adhering to the Code of Ethics of the American Institute for Conservation

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.

We also restore antique, gilded or metal leafed frames by recasting missing ornamentation, consolidating broken elements, applying metal leafing, and creating a final patina. 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.

This 19th century English landscape was framed in an elaborately ornamented and gold leafed period piece. It had been 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.

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 from compo ornaments to suit your own design concepts. The framing materials and methods that we use meet the

highest conservation standards and aesthetics.

Appraisals

This painting by California Impressionist John Oshea, was framed in a 22k gold, hand carved frame to create a pleasing and decorative effect that enhances a fine landscape of this style and period.

The frame dramatically effect the presentation of the artwork but also serves as protection for the piece.

Appraisals establish fair market values, replacement costs, insurance estimates, estate estimates, or donation values. This can only be 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, however, do research for you and provide auction records to assist in understanding the current market.)

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 professional associates.

Research and Auction Records

We access data bases and can often generate a list of auction records to help establish valuations for your artists or artworks. We do not appraise or authenticate fine art, but we can make referrals for you.

We represent your interests with insurance companies whenyou have a valid claim. Insurance companies can be problematic, insensitive, or non-responsive. We help make this a less painful experience. We can also help with attorneys.

Sometimes collections require a thorough examination to document their condition prior to treatments, storage, or for various insurance requirements. We provide on site examinations which are followed up with written and photographic documentation. This is a service often requested by private collectors, museums, libraries, or historical societies.

Photographic Documentation

Before, during, and after treatment photos include details of key pictorial elements, areas of damage, and signatures. Photography, under different lighting conditions, is a diagnostic tool and a record of previous restorations. We provide color, black and white, slides, digital images on CDs, 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.

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.

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.