PAINTING CONSERVATORS

painting conservators . . .

• Restore deteriorating works of art.
• Preserve works to prevent deterioration.
• Examine works to learn about them.
• Research works to learn their origins.
• Control storage and display environs.

PAINTING CONSERVATORS . . .

• Apply chemical principles.
• Research art history and materials.
• Replicate others' work accurately.
• Stay true to the original artist's intent.
• Exercise great patience and precision.

PAINTING CONSERVATORS . . .

• Usually need a conservation master's degree.
• Only a few U.S. schools offer these in art:
•      New York University
•      SUNY Buffalo
•      University of Delaware

PAINTING CONSERVATION STUDENTS . . .

• Need a strong background in chemistry.
• Need extensive knowledge of art history.
• Must be skilled studio artists.
• Usually specialize in a specific medium.
• Usually spend at least a year interning at a museum.

Mark W. Leonard is Chief Conservator
at the Dallas Museum of Art.
Before that, he spent 23 years at the
J. Paul Getty Museum in L.A.
To learn more about restoration, check out a short YouTube video about his restoration of
Jean-Baptiste Oudry's "Rhinocerus" at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W__HcqCVpF4

Median Salaries of Art Conservators (in US$Thousands)

Most conservators work in museums and galleries; some work for private collectors.

The primary industry group for conservators in the United States is the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic works.(http://www.conservation-us.org)

conservators (ALL TYPES)

• According to U.S. Department of Labor:
• Occupy about 11,000 jobs nationally
• Occupy about 1,150 jobs in California
• Will experience slower than average
• occupational growth through 2020

conservators:

• Work Interests:
• Realistic and Artistic
• Work Values:
• Achievement, Relationships
• and Independence