Same Analytical Methods Used On Famous Painting By Peter Bruegel the Elder Displayed in Exhibition, “Traces: Revealing Secrets in Art and History” at Cal Lutheran University”

Posted on March 23, 2019 by Scott M. Haskins

Infrared and x-radiography were utilized to unravel the changes in the Old Master painting of the video below, revealing also interesting historical details and perhaps insights into the political views of the renown artist. This article demonstrates methods of interesting analysis with both scientific and intellectual value.

It wasn’t really brought up in this article, but this type of pre-art-conservation-treatment analysis also allows for much more informed, accurate preservation and restoration treatments. This artist was one of the most important artists in northern Europe in the middle 1500s. Here is the NY Times article:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/23/arts/design/bruegel-kunsthistorisches-museum-technology-layers.html

The methods of analysis that are mentioned in this article for studying this world-famous painting are standard methods for “non-destructive” analysis (the sample does not require being removed from the artwork and destroying the sample) that can be used on any artwork. These methods are not cutting edge or the latest tech and have been used, in one form or another, for 50 years in the art conservation profession.

However, even though the same diagnostic methods are still used, the advancement of technology, of course, provides upgrades and enhances these “old” methods of analysis to allow them to be more capable of revealing hidden details.

Cal Lutheran University exhibition

Cal Lutheran University’s “Traces: Revealing Secrets in Art and History”exhibition displays a variety of interesting examples, where works of art are examined to uncover what might be hiding just below the surface. Evaluating, analyzing and authenticating works of art often combines the talents of both science and the connoisseurship of scholars and many works are displayed from various collections that have been altered or are outright fakes.

Before a testing method is chosen, however, the questions is, obviously, “What do you want to know?”  Today’s, scientific methods allow us to uncover forgeries, predict aging, attribute work to a specific artist, preserve ailing pieces and restore works closer to their original state. This exhibit offers a behind-the-scenes look at the procedures and techniques art “detectives” use to investigate what secrets artworks hold, using x-rays to infrared and solvents that remove varnish. See side-by-side comparisons of before and after images or try your hand at connoisseurship to see if you can identify what has been altered. Note: This exhibition features the optional use of UV light.

Changes from the original composition (c. 1550 with hood/mantle) can easily be seen. The mantle was removed in the “reworked” or restored painting probably done about 1750.

Some of the interesting examples in this exhibition include a positive photograph of an x-raynegative that was taken of a Renaissance panel with a man in a mantel. Later, in the middle 1600’s, the painting appears to have been “updated” to meet the artistic tastes of fashion. So, the photo in regular light shows the man with the mantel but the x-ray (on the right) allows us to see the original painting from 200 years earlier. The curator of the collection that owns the painting was not willing to “open up the can of worms” of old condition and damage by removing the repainting so, the repainted version is the one still visible.

X-rays penetrate the entire structure of the artwork just as they do the human body. Infrared reflectography is another technique of using invisible light to penetrate superficial layers of varnish and paints mixed with varnish (glazing layers). IR Can also reveal details through fabrics. This diagnostic tool helps to look through restorations that obscure original details.  Here’s a great story…

Sir Joshua Reynolds was one of the most famous English artists of all time and was recognized as a master by his society when he was living at the end of the 1700s. A painting of a nude by Reynolds was sold at Christies in 1899 and again in the 1920s. But fast forward to our day, the new owner in 2015 has reason to doubt that maybe it had been altered or… Infrared revealed very clearly, in the lower left corner, the signature of adoring-Reynolds-student James Heath Millington who wasn’t born till 7 years after the master’s death.

Ultraviolet visible fluorescenceis most often used for revealing retouchings on the surface of the artwork. Especially in vintage art, the new retouchings glows dark purple in contrast to the old paint layers. The exhibition’s self portrait of a woman artist that was damaged during a heist has very interesting things to show with the UV hand lights made available.

Another interesting fight in the world of fraud is the Old Master painting of the windmill which was attributed to Jacque Ruisdale, then debunked. Then it was attributed to John Constable, then debunked before it was agreed upon by scholars to be a lesser known but very capable artist from the same period, Georges Michelle (obviously worth A LOT less money!).

“Misattributed” Jacque Ruisdale is really a Georges Michelle

The original painting technique on this painting caused the foreground dark paints to pull apart while drying. Huge cracks needed to be retouched in order to restore an even appearance. But, the trouble was that the retouchings showed up under the UV light and collectors were not interested in owning a painting in such bad condition. So, an unscrupulous dealer and art restorer applied a varnish that has a UV absorber in it so that the underlying new retouching cannot be seen with the UV, fraudulently convincing a buyer that it was in optimum condition. An example that viewing artwork with this diagnostic tool is not so straight forward, as with all the other diagnostic tools.

Visitors had several hands-on opportunities to see analysis in action.

The methods used by art detectives to reveal the secrets of artworks are presented in the exhibition, “Traces.” Visitors will get an inside look at the spy-like techniques ranging from X-rays and infrared light to ultraviolet light which is used to detect changes.

The idea for “Traces” came out of a collaboration with Curator, Rachel Schmid and Dr. Katherine Hoffmann, Professor of Analytical who brainstormed on how to organize an exhibit tied to a course. The class will cover conservation, restoration, detecting fraud and the instruments that enable people to explore the layers of chemical information in paintings, mosaics, sculptures and other artworks.

While these analytical techniques (and MUCH more) are routinely used at the Getty Research Institute, they are also standards of practice at private professional facilities like Fine Art Conservation Laboratories  (FACL) in Santa Barbara, CA. Scott M. Haskins at FACL has been an art analysis consultant for many Hollywood productions including CSI Miami and Los Angeles, CNBC Treasure Detectives, Keeping Up With The Kardashians and others.

For more information contact FACL at 805 564 3438 faclofficemanager@gmail.com

Art conservators Scott M. Haskins, Oriana Montemurro, Virginia Panizzon.

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Painted Out New Deal WPA Murals- Can they be restored?

Posted on March 4, 2019 by Scott M. Haskins

They’ve been painting out murals for centuries… in fact, one of my first mural conservation projects was uncovering Renaissance murals in a church in Northern Italy that were drop dead gorgeous, but over the centuries were painted out!! Here’s a photo of the church after the overpaint was removed.

Removing overpaint from Renaissance murals in Northern Italy.

And… it still happens. Every once in awhile a historic WPA mural is thoughtlessly painted out. I’ve been quoted as a national expert on mural conservation in both CNN’s and The New Jersey Herald’s articles reporting on the debacle of a recent covering over of murals in a school: https://edition.cnn.com/…/new-deal-mural-painted…/index.html

As professional art conservators, over the years, FACL has removed 10,000s of sq ft of overpaint to recover these valuable historical and artistic murals all over the country.

Recognized as a national expert in mural conservation, CNN and the New Jersey Herald call Scott M. Haskins to review details (fact check) of the article and quote him…National News   http://www.njherald.com/article/20180616/AP/306169936

“One art restorer said it would be possible, though expensive, to remove the blue paint from “Constellations.”

“I would think that it could be done not only safely, it could look perfect,” said Scott Haskins of Santa Barbara, California-based Fine Art Conservation Laboratories. Haskins said “Constellations” is not the first historic school mural to be painted over. “Every once in a while you get a dingbat principal that gets a roller out and tells maintenance to give it a fresh coat of paint,” he said. “I’ve seen it happen all over the country.”

“There have been several cases of WPA murals that were painted over and later restored. Seven murals at New Mexico Highlands University depicting different fields of knowledge were covered with white paint sometime in the 1960s. They were restored in 2011 after the New Mexico New Deal Preservation Association hired an art conservator to uncover them.”

“Cedar Rapids murals were painted over in the 1950s amid controversy over images depicting justice in what was then a federal courthouse. The murals were restored, then covered up again in the 1960s, then restored again between 2011 and 2013.”

One of our Facebook fans asked me with despiration…

“Who would do that?????”Someone who is not thinking… and not interested. But you would think that school administration would be more in tune and aware!

Another follow up comment: “And they are not the only ones. Murals in theaters, post offices, government buildings have been covered or destroyed.”   Yes, that’s true… and that’s why I have a job.

A question from a nationally known artist: “Do you think there is a renewed interest in uncovering and restoring murals these days, Scott?”I think there is heightened interest in historic preservation as the population gets older. Also, 50 years ago, the WPA art was just old styled art. Now books have been written, high prices have resulted in auctions… so now they are stylish and there’s context for saving them. Also, the buildings they are in have become historic, so… but its always an effort to get together a budget. Its never a slam dunk to get all the community support you need to get the project approved. No one is going to GIVE the principle the money next week to clean off the murals, restore them and make them look great. Maybe with public outcry there will be some extra pressure…. who knows.

We consult and answer questions enthusiastically. Give us a call: Scott M. Haskins 805 564 3438 faclartdoc@gmail.com

This Aug. 5, 2015 photo provided by Frank da Cruz shows a mural painted in the 1930s by Alfred Floegel on the walls and ceiling of the third-floor hallway at DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx borough of New York. New York City education officials aren’t saying who decided to paint over the ceiling murals depicting the constellations in the night sky, but advocates for the preservation of New Deal art say whoever covered them with bright blue paint should have known better. The mural was one of thousands of artworks around the country funded by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration (WPA). (Frank da Cruz via AP)The Associated Press

 

Posted in Consultations, Historic Buildings - Construction Sites, Murals | Tagged | 22 Comments

Historic Mission Inn Foundation Save Your Stuff Fundraiser with Scott M. Haskins and Bonhams Auction house

Posted on February 8, 2019 by Scott M. Haskins

Event Weekend Feb 15,16,17, 2019 

By Danielle Trynoski, Guest Blogger, Director Marketing Mission Inn Foundation

 

Without the knowledge of renowned fine art conservator Scott Haskins, a significant portion of the Mission Inn’s artwork would not be here today. His expertise saved the Henry Chapman Ford Mission Paintings from years of water damage and neglect, and over the last 30 years his team has cleaned, conserved, and rescued numerous other works now displayed in the building.

Come join Scott for an exclusive art tour of the Mission Inn, only available during the Save Your Stuff! Appraisal Weekend. This will be a fun, great event! Kick off a celebration of fine art, antiques, and preservation! Join us on Friday evening for our kick-off reception where the Museum will unveil a recent conservation project completed by Fine Art Conservation Laboratories under Scott’s direction, plus delectable eats and one of the best views of the city from the gorgeous home of Chuck and Sally Beaty. VIP reception at private home, address revealed after ticket purchase. Unveiling of recent conservation projects, one-on-one time with conservator Scott Haskins, dinner & open bar included. One of the *best* views of the downtown core! 5:30-9:00 p.m.

APPRAISAL CLINIC AND ART EVALUATION DAY ON SATURDAY

Connect one-on-one with professional appraisers from Bonhams Auction House for an appraisal of the estimated value of your art, antiques, heirlooms, or collectibles! All proceeds will support the Mission Inn Museum’s conservation efforts and collections care. Please select a time block from the ticket options below.

Items accepted for appraisal: Fine Art (19th Century, 20th Century and Contemporary Paintings and Sculpture), Fine Art prints, Fine Art photographs, Asian works of art, furniture, ceramics, jewelry including precious gems, glassware, metalware, folk art, or clocks. Call Rocco Rich at Bonhams for specific questions (323)  850 7500 www.bonhams.com

Excluded from this event: all weapons, including swords and knives, traps (like leg-hold); Nazi memorabilia, coins and paper money, toys, costume jewelry, sports memorabilia, musical instruments, or Beanie Babies. Please call 951-788-9556 with any questions.

All appraisals will happen at The Box, 3635 Market Street, Riverside, CA 92501. Please park in Garage 7 on Level 2 (Prices and map available here) then walk across courtyard to the Box Theater entrance. Parking is not included in event ticket.

SOME OF THE MONEY RAISED DURING THE WEEKEND WILL BE TARGETED FOR THE PRESERVATION AND ART RESTORATION OF AN HISTORIC WOODEN CHINESE PAGODA

Your support is crucial to achieve our goal of conserving and restoring the Museum’s Chinese Pagoda (above, in undated archival photograph), a Landmark Object in the collection. This delicate wooden sculpture represents the long history of goodwill between the Mission Inn, Riverside, and Asian nations. Help us restore this national treasure by allowing us to help you Save Your Stuff!

Specialty Tours with Scott Haskins of the Mission Inn’s Rescued Art, Sunday, February 17

ABOUT THE MISSION INN FOUNDATION

MISSION STATEMENT

Adopted by the Mission Inn Foundation Board of Trustees, June 28, 2008.

The Mission Inn Foundation preserves, interprets, and promotes the cultural heritage of the Mission Inn, Riverside, and the surrounding southern California communities through its museum services, educational programs, and outreach activities.

HISTORY

The Mission Inn Foundation was incorporated in 1976 to assist in the preservation and restoration of the Mission Inn, and originally, to manage the hotel during ownership by the City of Riverside’s Redevelopment Agency. The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa is now privately owned by Duane and Kelly Roberts, and the Foundation has a unique role of operating a non-profit museum within a for-profit hotel. The Mission Inn Museum, operated by the Mission Inn Foundation, was opened in 1993, simultaneous with the reopening of the Mission Inn after seven years of extensive renovations. In addition to the museum, the Mission Inn Foundation interprets the history and significance of the Mission Inn through daily hotel tours, monthly public programs and special events, the Hands On History educational initiative, and the continued stewardship of the hotel’s expansive art, artifact, and archival collections.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM

Located at the corner of Main Street and Mission Inn Avenue, the Mission Inn Museum features exhibitions examining the hotel’s history and lasting impacts on the Riverside community and beyond. The museum’s collection is significant in demonstrating the periods of Mission Inn development from its beginning as an adobe boarding house in 1876 to the present. Frank Miller, the original owner and developer of the Inn, was an early proponent of the Mission Revival movement, an avid collector of art from around the world, an aviation enthusiast, an original thinker, a marketing genius, and a strong community booster. Miller and his family’s vital role in the development of Riverside as well as the Mission Inn’s place as a center of Riverside civic life for over a century gives the museum a broad range of topics to explore in their revolving exhibitions. The Mission Inn Museum is also the starting point for all docent-led Mission Inn tours and features an extensive museum store with one of a kind products from local artists, unique Mission Inn souvenirs, in addition to a wide selection of books on Mission Inn and local history.

Before and After Conservation Santa Cruz Mission

ABOUT THE INN

The story of the Mission Inn stretches over more than a century and began with the Miller family, migrants to California from Tomah, Wisconsin. In 1874, civil engineer Christopher Columbus Miller arrived in Riverside, began work on a water system, and with his family, began a small boarding house in the center of town. In 1880, his son Frank Augustus Miller, bought the property and gradually improved and enlarged it. Working with prominent architect Arthur Benton, financed by railroad baron Henry Huntington, and inspired by the growing popularity of California Mission tourism and Mission Revival architecture, Miller opened the first wing of the current Mission Inn building in 1903. The building grew in several stages, each new wing demonstrating regional architectural trends and Miller’s own travels throughout Europe and Asia. By 1931, the Mission Inn comprised four wings in a labyrinth of gardens, towers, arches, and winding stairways that encompassed an entire city block. The interior was filled with art and artifacts purchased by Miller from across the nation and around the world, displayed throughout the hotel to enchant and delight guests.

Following his death in 1935, Miller’s family continued operating the Inn for the next two decades until 1956 when it was sold to San Francisco hotelman Benjamin Swig. In an attempt to revitalize the failing Inn, which was losing business to growing tourist hotspots like nearby Palm Springs, Swig sold nearly 1,000 artworks and artifacts from the hotel’s collection and redecorated the Inn in the latest midcentury styles. This effort did little to restore the Inn’s popularity and the hotel struggled through multiple owners and unending financial crises. It was even transformed from a hotel into dorm rooms and private apartments.

Fearful that the hotel would be permanently shuttered and its interior collections destroyed, in 1969 a group of concerned citizens formed the Friends of the Mission Inn, a volunteer organization dedicated to promoting hotel business and safeguarding the historic collections. As the hotel’s financial woes persisted, the City of Riverside’s Redevelopment Agency purchased the Mission Inn in 1976. In 1977, thanks to the efforts of local advocates and government officials, the Mission Inn was designated a National Historic Landmark by the federal government, officially marking the Inn as a site of national historic importance.

After keeping the hotel afloat for nearly nine years, the city sold the hotel to a Wisconsin-based private development firm, which closed the Inn in June 1985 to begin what would become a seven-year $50 million renovation project. With restorations nearly complete in December 1988, the hotel was once again plagued by bankruptcy and languished for three years without a buyer. In late 1992, local Riverside entrepreneur Duane Roberts purchased the Mission Inn and successfully reopened the landmark hotel for business. It was Mr. Roberts that contracted with Scott M. Haskins and Fine Art Conservation Laboratories to undertake the preservation and art restoration of the 100s of items in the Mission Inn historic art collection.

Save Your Stuff! brings celebrated fine art conservator Scott Haskins to the Mission Inn Museum and his expertise will be available just for YOU during this special weekend.

Be aware also of the opportunity to donate artwork to the Mission Inn Foundation (which may be sold at auction for the benefit of the MIF) in April. For more information please call Scott M. Haskins at 805 570 4140

For the opportunity to support this very active enthusiastic historic foundation with its grass roots Friends of the Mission Inn, click here to make a donation.

Posted in Consulation, FACL in the media, Professional activities | Tagged | 1 Comment

International Business Club (GIN) Meeting in the Dominican Republic

Posted on January 30, 2019 by Scott M. Haskins
Inpainting damage on WPA mural in City Hall Cedar Rapids

Luisa Pari and Anna Frassine have been our professional associates for 35 years. Here they collaborate inpainting the damage on WPA mural in City Hall, Cedar Rapids

In-house, I have always valued the team effort that has come together in our private painting conservation practice. And I have always preached that professional service companies, like ours, require collaboration with other professionals (many in parallel specialties that can compliment your own work). One of the strategies to “up my game” is to associate with other successful business people and let their smarts “rub off” onto me.

At another professional business conference in Porto, Portugal on street art conservation issues.

That means I try to be alert and think differently. For this reason we joined an international business club, the Global Information Network (GIN) and, besides the daily/weekly sequential curriculum to absorb, we attend the meetings twice a year. We are in the Dominican Republic for this conference and loving it!!!

Years ago, I knew I had to associate with people who thought at a higher level than I did and… I had to think differently. The random, piece meal, shot gun approach of positive information from various gurus can offer a lot  of good info and self-insights but a this point in my life wasn’t organized well enough and did not move me forward consistently. I wanted change and results now.

So, now its been two years since we joined and I have enjoyed, implemented and felt the benefit of the insights of the program, including the great chance to get away to conferences. But as I study and connect with other members, finding new tools of personal control and development, like Tapping EFT for example, add richly to my evolution as a professional, as a partner and as a head of household. I’m short on time to study it all!!!lol…

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Mural Conservation of The Contribution of Negro Women in American Life and Education – A National Treasure in Houston, TX

Posted on January 16, 2019 by Scott M. Haskins

Before Conservation, The Contribution of Negro Women in American Life and Education

This amazing public art, painted in the South in 1953, addresses the several, then, unpopular themes of women’s rights, equality of rights for all races including access to public education, freedom of speech, land ownership. “The Contribution of Negro Women in American Life and Education” was, of course, honoring and remembering the sacrifices of those known African American women in this struggle on behalf of their communities and families. This heartfelt recognition and plea sends a message about human rights equally applicable for all women of all races in all countries.

Our set up for the mural preservation and restoration work

Post World War II was a man’s society which obviously placed woman in a minority role. It wouldn’t be for 10 more years that Civil Rights would be an issue that could be improved upon. It was foresight and inspiration that the time was right to prepare for these improvements. The mural was painted in 1953 as a requirement for John Bigger’s doctoral degree from the University of Pennsylvania. In 1949 Dr. Biggers founded the art department at Texas Southern University, Houston, Texas – where more of his works are displayed. This mural was ahead of its time.

Given also that Dr. John Biggers has become one of the most important African American artists in our US history, this mural has become iconic, even an American National Treasure. It truly touches on the fight for freedom and the American way, liberty and justice for all.

Expression of human rights

Its easy to imagine, therefore, the emotional outcry when, in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in 2017, the building of the Blue Triangle Multi-Cultural Community Center in Houston, Texas (where the mural is housed) was discovered to have been hit hard. The beloved mural suffered extensive exposure to water and was suffering from the predictable onset of mold growth and flaking paint.

Marie de Jesus, Houston Chronicle Photographer

To the credit of the building’s caretakers and administrators, instead of hitting the mural with a mop in a DIY frenzy, professional mural conservation help was sought. Steve Pine, Head of Conservation from the MFA Houston became a valued consultant and angel guiding the inspections, analysis, proposal processes and ultimately he assisted the board of directors of the Blue Triangle Multi-Cultural Community Center in getting professional bids to preserve and restore the mural.

With so many needed repairs at the community center, some might question placing the  “fixing the art” as a high priority… but this speaks well to the love of this mural by the community, the importance of the mural from an art history and public art point of view and the importance the federal funding agencies placed on the artwork as a high priority.

Professional art conservation treatments began in January 2019. The wall had dried out by then and had returned to its previously solid condition, a veritable miracle. Fine Art Conservation Laboratories was represented on site in Houston, Texas by Scott M. Haskins, Head of Conservation with mural conservator from Santa Fe New Mexico, Julie Stephenson to assist. The quality of these conservation treatments and the collaborative team efforts of saving of this important work of art received the prestigious Preservation Houston’s Good Brick Award.

Injecting archival adhesives to stop flaking.

The preservation tasks focused on stopping and setting the flaking, killing the mold and  its abatement, then a cleaning helped and the mural was varnished for future protection. Minimal restorative retouching (called “inpainting”) was required. See the short video at the end of this article for a quick visual of the work.

More than just a decoration, this mural represents the community’s heritage, a legacy and teaching tool for future generations. It’s a memory trigger, to retell history and personal experiences. Its importance to the community in which it was places is huge, but it’s a visual anchor for the State of Texas and the entire nation. Indeed, this artwork is a National Treasure.

In the history of our country, no more heroic work has been done than that performed by woman. She not only organized the family but has had to lead the struggles to build a society in which that family could grow. She has been the leader in public, rural and informal education… and nothing builds society more than the education of children.

In depicting the contribution of Negro women, it was historically imperative to remember the sacrifices of those known in the struggle of personal and civic rights. The mural symbolizes the sociological, historical and educational contributions of brave women.

The right side of the mural represents the slavery out of which Harriet Tubmanleads people, symbolized by the Torch of Freedom pushing over the column, tree of life, also supported by man’s labor, embraces the balance of the mural, depicting progress in education, science, music and healthful living with Sojourner Truth as the pioneer teacher. The search for knowledge in a free society becomes available to the old and young, men and women; Phyllis Wheatley appears in the book being read by the mother with the child. All of that embraced by The Tree of Life is in contrast to the hopelessness expressed in the figures at the far right. The church on each side symbolizes the spiritual background of our society. One is also aware of the matriarchal influence of the family as well as the Madonna theme apparent on both sides.

Ileana Najarro Houston Chronicle Reporter

The artist, Dr. John T. Biggers was born in Gastonia, North Carolina in 1924. He studied at Hampton University, Pennsylvania state college and University of Southern California. The mural: “The Contribution of Negro Women in American Life and Education” is located; room 15 – at The Blue Triangle Community Center – 3005 McGowan, Houston Texas, 77004 – appraised: $1.3 million.  Dr. John T Biggers departed life April 2002.

Mural conservator, Julie Stephenson, setting down flaking with heat.

Would you like to contribute

to this wonderful community center and their heartfelt efforts?

Online: http://www.the-bluetriangle.org/donate

Facebook: Blue Triangle Community Center

See the article from the Houston Chronicle. Click on the link

 A quick video of the mural preservation and restoration processes

Special thanks to Head of Conservation, Mr. Steve Pine of the Houston Museum of Fine Arts, for his valuable professional oversight and consultation on the project. This project was done as part of Hurricane Recovery efforts and funded by The Houston Endowment, National Endowment for the Humanities, Texas Historical Commission and the Kinder Foundation.

Mural and art preservation and restoration questions:

Call Scott M. Haskins, Virginia Panizzon, Oriana Montemurro

805 564 3438 faclartdoc@gmail.com

Posted in Murals | Tagged | 24 Comments

Historic Murals With American (Human) Values… Restoring art with a social conscience.

Posted on January 9, 2019 by Scott M. Haskins

I’ve been doing mural conservation since 1975 and got my start in Italy. Since then, I have enjoyed working on wonderful historic and artistic murals in historic buildings and public places all over the United States and internationally. I love a good road trip and legislation about the transportation of toxic materials over the years has turned many of my travels into road trips in my car in order to transport all the supplies for these public art restoration projects.

My current road trip across the southern part of the western United States from the Pacific coast to Houston have brought to mind a couple of historic murals that I know intimately with wonderful, patriotic and humanistic themes:

Last night I stayed in El Paso, Texas where you can see Juarez, Mexico on the other side of the freeway. We recently worked on a mural painted by an Austrian prisoner of war (held on the military base) who loved the United States and painted at Ft. Bliss a mural of “One Nation Indivisible With Liberty and Justice For All.”An ideal to be held in the heart of every generation. He obviously had compelling examples as a past conscript in the Nazi military and obviously did not take for granted personal freedom.

This was the artwork with the worst flaking paint I have ever seen in my career.

 

The mural preservation and art restoration project that has me traversing the US on Interstate 10 on this trip is public art painted by, perhaps, America’s most noteworthy black artist and it too has a wonderful and compelling message. It is located and I’ll be working in Houston, Texas.

The message of the mural proclaims the importance of the “Contribution of Negro Women to American Life and Education.”It honors mothers in society and the foundational importance of values and love they provide. The mural is located at the Blue Trianagle Community Center in the 3rd Ward and was painted by John Biggers in 1953.

“Contribution of Negro Women to American Life and Education.”

These are two wonderful messages celebrated uniquely in our country. Though not perfect, God bless America. God bless our citizens and our government to fight for liberty and justice for all. God bless the negro mothers, and mothers of all races, to be the foundation of our society in teaching values and love and making for strong families. God bless these artists who had the inspiration to document and promote our heritage and to give us a legacy to hold onto to and a hopeful future to aspire to.

If you felt this article was interesting please click on the thumbs up at the beginning of the page and subscribe for updates to this blog.

Stay tuned for the blog post on the very interesting preservation processes of rescuing this iconic National Treasure mural by John Biggers after it was eaten alive by a forest of mold as a result of a hurricane.

Questions: Scott M. Haskins, Virginia Panizzon, Oriana Montemurro Art Conservators. 805 564 3438 faclartdoc@gmail.com

Thank you to art conservator Julie Stephenson who collaborated on this project in Houston.

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Posted in Murals, Travel | Tagged | 14 Comments

Woolsey Fire in Malibu – Smoke Damaged Art and Collectible Salvage, Rescue, Restoration

Posted on December 8, 2018 by Scott M. Haskins

Even though this house didn’t make it, other houses in the area “only” got smoked badly and the meaningful contents of family history, collectibles and memories can be salvaged, saved, restored and preserved.

As with any natural disaster, while there are homes etc that are at ground zero and get obliterated from which you cannot salvage anything except melted metals, there are 1000’s of homes in the surrounding area that got hit marginally and have the chance to save and protect the items they deem important, or treasure or are of some value.

Such is the case, as you can see, that as we made our first salvage efforts and pick ups in Malibu yesterday after the fire a few days ago, the scene is apocalyptic… but there is much to save, protect and restore. Not all is lost.

Smoke damaged artwork and collectibles can be saved.

While we wear masks and gloves while we handle art objects, this picture of my hands shows you what readily comes off the frames items we picked up. Person safety and health should be of primary importance whenever involved in cleaning up after a disaster, especially with mold. Yet, just the smoke smell in the house we visited caused a reaction in the throat and stomach, something that almost never happens to me. It was a good reminder that not all smoke is the same and no two situations are the same. Protect yourself always, whether in a major disaster like this one or from a small problem at home.

The items we picked up include family photos, photos of hobbies and athletic events, children’s drawings and paintings, certificates of accomplishment, nice paintings on canvas… all things that make up the story, heritage and memories of a family. It doesn’t all have monetary value but it all has emotional value important to future emotional recovery and it will be important to future generations.

In the downpour of rain the days after the fires that I experienced in OC, I was worried that Malibu might be ready to slide into the Pacific from mudslides. Malibu dodged that bullet in this storm with only minimal debris flow to be seen.

A more complete article on these services :https://www.fineartconservationlab.com/disaster-response-company-resource-smokefire-water-damage-earthquakes-hurricanes-tornados/?fbclid=IwAR2GjGxFiEAmoV2SPFU0mCrFtJgl3Zee4Sb0hIGWyKKxE7Wee1yFrC2-S1s

Perhaps you’ve seen the blog post about the use of the anoxia tent for odor removal. Other processes we will go through with the art related items that we picked up will be:

  • HEPA vacuuming of dust, debris and grime – wet or dry- (we remove up to 0.035 microns)
  • Sampling in case of lab testing (toxic materials and species ID)
  • Disassembly of artwork to clean into all hidden areas
  • Encapsulation or coating of surfaces with conservation grade resins that have absorbed particulates and odors
  • Reframing (rematting etc) of contaminated framed items
  • Replace all porous materials that are not part of the artwork (back boards and matting)
  • Anoxia Tent Oxygen Deprivation Treatments – Odor removal and kills mold spores

Without minimizing the apocalyptic conditions that resulted and the impact on personal lives and the community, Fine Art Conservation Laboratories provided professional services for saving, protecting and restoring collectibles, artwork and family history items. For Thomas Fire Recovery, FACL wrote over 60 insurance claims proposals for the cleaning and care of over 7,000 art related items. We are madly responding to the Woolsey Fire requests as I write this blogpost. I hope this blogpost has given you the confidence to call us and we look forward to hearing from you to answer your questions as a free service.

This year, we have prepared insurance claims for over 60 clients encompassing over 7,000 art related items.

Gena Dillon, Disaster Response Coordinator 

805 564 3438   gena.faclBusinessManager@gmail.com

Art Conservators Scott M. Haskins, Virginia Panizzon 

805 564 3438

Here are some testimonials and examples of our work with other disaster response companies:

Smoke Damage (Testimonial): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMPlQ…

Smoke damage testimonial from PuroClean disaster response company: https://vimeo.com/250390252

Water Damage (Testimonial Mrs. Dau): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Umg_…

Water Damage (Testimonial Las Vegas): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_Yup…

Damage in Storage – Rip Repair: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2Jxo…

Expert Author – Tom Antion Hurricane Testimonial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwBbc…

Water Damaged Paintings: https://animoto.com/play/YGtMXOyRkR8Z…

Water damaged art treatment – blog: https://www.fineartconservationlab.com…

Smoke Damage – Elite Restoration – Blog Post: https://www.fineartconservationlab.com…

Smithsonian guideline for home collection care: https://www.si.edu/mci/english/learn_more/taking_care/mnm.html

Posted in Disaster/Emergency Response | Tagged | 20 Comments

Smoke and Mold Odor Removal from Smoke Damaged Art, Antiques And Collectibles in the Malibu and Thousand Oaks Woolsey Fire

Posted on December 1, 2018 by Scott M. Haskins

Short Video of Anoxia Tent Treatments – Oxygen Deprivation for

Smoke Damaged Art, Antiques And Collectibles 

Malibu and Thousand Oaks Woolsey Fire

Smoke and Mold Odor Removal

framed collectibles smoke damaged

Smoke damaged framed collectibles – they smelled to high heaven!!

While a household item like throw rugs, dishes, toys can be treated with household products to minimize odors, the same products and handling are going to cause damage to frames, art and antiques, vintage items, memorabilia and heirlooms.

Damage to these types of items often results in frustration and the item being thrown out. Such was the case last weekend when there was a disconnect between the father and the adult son. The son went on the search for professional services to take care of odors and mold on 3 paintings by the grandmother and dad decided to hit the artwork with a rag and an off-the-shelf cleaner and stain remover. Before we could get over to the house to inspect and answer questions the next morning, the two items the dad worked on had been thrown away and only 1 of 3 paintings were saved. There was a “lively” family discussion that resulted with many badly hurt feelings.

Whether its good art or not, it was painted by grandma

Consider the value of these family history items to prompt memories and the retelling of stories in a family. They document the family’s history. In short, they contain an important part of the family’s memory and keep the heritage alive in the minds of the future generations. Throwing these types of items out results in grave multigenerational consequences.

If you happen to have items that have a monetary value, you can imagine the compromised value if it smells badly, is mold infested or is dirty from smoke.

Fire cooked this gorgeous Pre-Raphaelite 19th century oil painting and smoke damage choked the colors and composition.

Odors an also prompt physical reactions such as rashes, allergic reactions and nausea.

What we do to confront the odor removal process:

  • HEPA vacuuming of dust, debris and grime – wet or dry- (we remove up to 0.035 microns)
  • Sampling in case of lab testing (toxic materials and species ID)
  • Disassembly of artwork to clean into all hidden areas
  • Encapsulation or coating of surfaces with conservation grade resins that have absorbed particulates and odors
  • Replace all porous materials that are not part of the artwork (back boards and matting)
  • Anoxia Tent Oxygen Deprivation Treatments – Odor removal and kills mold spores

Here is a quick video about the Anoxia Tent Oxygen Deprivation Treatments

For additional info on anoxia oxygen deprivation treatments, click on this link:

 

Hard to kill, they can re-flower at anytime conditions are agreeable in the future.

Additional info – https://www.fineartconservationlab.com/disaster-response-company-resource-smokefire-water-damage-earthquakes-hurricanes-tornados/

This past year, Santa Paula, Ventura to Montecito (Thomas Fire), Malibu and Thousand Oaks/Agoura Hills Area (Woolsey Fire), The Hill Fire, Southern California was the center of major natural wildfire disasters. Other major fires raged Central and Northern parts of CA. The Thomas Fire covered Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties in ash and smoke and then close on the fire’s heels, a mudslide filled commercial and residential buildings with boulders, mud, and debris. 1,000’s of home were impacted and 100’s damaged badly or obliterated by the boulders being pushed by the mudslides.

Without minimizing the apocalyptic conditions that resulted and the impact on personal lives and the community, Fine Art Conservation Laboratories provided professional services for saving, protecting and restoring collectibles, artwork and family history items. For Thomas Fire Recovery, FACL wrote over 60 insurance claims proposals for the cleaning and care of over 7,000 art related items. We are madly responding to the Woolsey Fire requests as I write this blogpost. I hope this blogpost has given you the confidence to call us and we look forward to hearing from you to answer your questions as a free service.

Framed items being damaged from poor handling… not the disaster.

 

Gena Dillon, Disaster Response Coordinator

Gena.FACLBusinessManager@gmail.com

Art Conservators Scott M. Haskins, Virginia Panizzon

805 564 3438

 

Here are some testimonials and examples of our work with other disaster response companies:

Smoke Damage (Testimonial): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMPlQ…

Smoke damage testimonial from PuroClean disaster response company: https://vimeo.com/250390252

Water Damage (Testimonial Mrs. Dau): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Umg_…

Water Damage (Testimonial Las Vegas): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_Yup…

Damage in Storage – Rip Repair: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2Jxo…

Expert Author – Tom Antion Hurricane Testimonial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwBbc…

Water Damaged Paintings: https://animoto.com/play/YGtMXOyRkR8Z…

Water damaged art treatment – blog: https://www.fineartconservationlab.com…

Smoke Damage – Elite Restoration – Blog Post: https://www.fineartconservationlab.com…

Smithsonian guideline for home collection care: https://www.si.edu/mci/english/learn_more/taking_care/mnm.html

Posted in Disaster/Emergency Response | Tagged | 2 Comments

Professional Smoke Damage Restoration Services for Artwork, Antiques and Collectibles in Woolsey Fire, Malibu, Los Angeles

Posted on November 29, 2018 by Scott M. Haskins

In the aftermath of fire in residential areas, once everyone and their pets have been accounted for and taken care of, the next human concern turns to finding and caring for items that represent the history of the person and/or family, their history and legacy. Items of value follow close behind in importance. How do you take care of your “stuff.” With 100,000’s of people evacuated, you can imagine the heightened concern for the safety of these types of close to the heart items. Once again, I don’t want to minimize the greater importance of life but, our specialty, expertise and profession are specific to helping you save, protect and restore your cherished family history items, collectibles, and art objects of value.

After the Thomas fire, not even 12 months ago, and the following mudslides in Montecito, CA the disaster response division of Fine Art Conservation Laboratories wrote up 60 proposals for insurance companies to estimate and propose the clean up and restoration procedures of 7,000 – 8,000 art related items of value.

Those concerned for the proper care, preservation and restoration of art related objects, antiques, family history items from the Woolsey fires can be confident to find empathetic experienced professionals to provide proper professional help.

Fine Art Conservation Laboratories has a special division of services to offer to disaster response companies, insurance companies and directly to collectors and owners to help respond professionally to the care, restoration and conservation of artwork, collectibles, keepsakes and antiques: Here’s a quick video:

We help compile inventories and reports for insurance reporting.

We can re-hang the artwork and secure art objects for seismic safety.

We are prepared to handle the logistics and treatments of many items at once. We are easy to communicate with and we can provide door to door service even over long distances.

As I write this the two most destructive fires in SOCal, the Camp Fire in Butte County is 45% contained, the Woolsey Fire in the Malibu and Thousand Oaks areas is 75% contained. Total for loss of life, structure loss and damage etc are not estimated yet. The Thomas Fire in the Ventura and Santa Barbara areas at the end of 2017 was classified as the largest wildfire (acreage) in the history of California. Over 1000 structures were lost in the firestorm driven by 40-70 mph winds in the backcountry which threatened densely populated areas prompting the mandatory evacuation of more than 16,000 residents with many more voluntarily leaving for more that a couple of weeks. Even though the fire was not driven into the cities, the wind blew smoke and ash onto 100,000s of local residents and polluted skies northward past San Francisco, 600 miles away.

In our recent past, we assisted families with requests for evaluations and inspections of smoked artwork, sculptures, family photos, model train sets, ceramics and collectibles… all of the cherished items that make up a family’s heritage and history. Once such family has been in the railroad business for 4 generations and you can image that connection they feel with their family’s memorabilia! What a heartbreak to see the damage… and the smell!!! But what a wonderful moment to share with them how everything can be cleaned up to good and new.

Let’s Talk! Contact us:

Scott M. Haskins

805 564 3438 office, 805 570 4140 mobile,

faclartdoc@gmail.com

Double cleaning of an oil painting

This painting required a double cleaning in order to remove the smoke and debris “safely.” No original paint was removed and the full value was returned.

Here are some testimonials and examples

of our work with other disaster response companies:

Smoke Damage (Testimonial): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMPlQ90iJtc

Water Damage (Testimonial Mrs. Dau): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Umg_5trfe8

Water Damage (Testimonial Las Vegas): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_YupoIRRcs

Damage in Storage – Rip Repair: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2Jxozdtl0w

Expert Author – Tom Antion Hurricane Testimonial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwBbcAF-j8A

Water Damaged Paintings: https://animoto.com/play/YGtMXOyRkR8Z0Y8QPx4gsw

Water damaged art treatment – blog: https://www.fineartconservationlab.com/in-lab/art-damaged-over-and-over/

Smoke Damage – Elite Restoration – Blog Post: https://www.fineartconservationlab.com/travel/smoke-damage-on-artwork-we-work-as-a-sub-to-disaster-response-companies/

Let’s Talk! Contact us:

Scott M. Haskins

805 564 3438 office, 805 570 4140 mobile,

faclartdoc@gmail.com

Posted in Disaster/Emergency Response | Tagged | 17 Comments

Long Beach Public Library WPA Mural Preservation and Restoration

Posted on October 24, 2018 by Scott M. Haskins

This article was originally published in 2018 and updated in 2026 to include new insights from the installation of the 1937 WPA murals into the new Long Beach Public Library and from recent professional art mural conservation projects at Fine Art Conservation Laboratories. The WPA Federal Art Project (1935–1943) produced thousands of murals across the United States, many of which remain in libraries, schools, and civic buildings today.

The following video shows part of the conservation and installation work carried out during the preservation of the WPA murals at the Long Beach Public Library.

Conservation and installation of the 1937 WPA murals at the Long Beach Public Library by the team at Fine Art Conservation Laboratories.

Selecting the Professional Art Mural Conservation Team for the New Long Beach Library

The City of Long Beach went on a desperate search for the right mural conservation team in order to be reassured that the art mural conservation treatments and services would blend well logistically with the massive project of building the new library in downtown. The City of Long Beach was motivated (by a number of issues with the valuable historic WPA murals) to find authoritative, experienced fine art and mural conservation experts to bring this beautiful community asset back to life. It required halting the deterioration of time and disaster. Hopefully, the project was undertaken to improve the aesthetics of the artwork which had been compromised by previous restoration. And the project required that these whimsical fairytale works of art would be a shinning jewel in the new public facility. The mural was painted in 1937 by Suzanne Miller under the auspices of the Work Project Administration Federal Art Project (Federal Art Project – FAP, Works Progress Administration -WPA). These murals are among the many public artworks created during the WPA era that remain in civic buildings across the United States today. To see other WPA mural projects we have had the honor of preserving and restoring click on this link: https://www.fineartconservationlab.com/?s=WPA&apbct__email_id__search_form=

Long Beach WPA Murals Before Conservation

The Long Beach WPA Murals: Scenes from English Literature

These 9 sections of the mural are titled “Scenes From English Literature.” The 9 panels depict 15 scenes from English Literature:

• Hiawatha — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow – Panel 1
• The Faerie Queene — Edmund Spenser – Panel 2
• Pilgrim’s Progress — John Bunyan – Panel 3
• L’Allegro and Il Penseroso — John Milton – Panel 4
• The Vicar of Wakefield — Oliver Goldsmith – Panel 4
• Rip Van Winkle — Washington Irving – Panel 4
• The King James Bible – Panel 5
• Alice in Wonderland — Lewis Carroll – Panel 6
• The Compleat Angler — Izaak Walton – Panel 6
• The Lady of Shalott — Alfred Tennyson – Panel 7
• The Tempest — William Shakespeare – Panel 8
• The Canterbury Tales — Geoffrey Chaucer- Panel 9

Signature on Suzanne Miller WPA Murals in Long Beach Public Library

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Earlier Long Beach Public Library and the 1972 Fire

The original Long Beach Public Library once stood across the street in Lincoln Park. The building was destroyed by fire in 1972.

Los Angelenos are unfortunately well acquainted with fire and smoke damage, particularly after the devastating fires in Altadena and the Pacific Palisades last year. Fine Art Conservation Laboratories has extensive experience mitigating fire and smoke damage affecting paintings and murals. In fact, we were vetted by FEMA as among the first to gain security clearance for entering the “burn zones” after the fires in order to respond to requests for help from the public. https://www.fineartconservationlab.com/in-lab/smoke-damage-on-collectibles-memorabilia-heirlooms-art-and-antiques-tips-for-making-an-insurance-claim-smoke-damaged-oil-paintings/

In 1937, the murals were painted in oil on canvas and then glued to the wall of the library. After the fire, the 9 mural sections were pulled off the walls, repainted and glued to plywood… not good for long term preservation. After their restoration, the plywood sections were bolted to the walls of the Children’s Reading room at the public library located at 101 Pacific Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90882

Poor Quality Restoration Methods and Materials Previously Utilized

As a result of the 1972 restoration, over the recent years the low quality varnish has yellowed badly changing all the colors… and water leaked onto the murals further damaging them.

Water stains, vast areas of fogged or bloomed varnish and crystallization of varnish resin.

One of the 9 sections of mural was badly wrinkled from the previous restoration.

Before and after relaxing and removal of wrinkles in mural section

Professional Art Conservation for Historic Oil Paintings – The Mural Conservation Treatment Performed

Historic murals created under the WPA Federal Art Project remain an important part of the cultural history of many American cities.
When these works require conservation, treatment must be carefully coordinated with architects, construction teams, and public
institutions responsible for the long-term preservation of the artwork.

Fine Art Conservation Laboratories has experience working with municipalities, libraries, schools, and private collectors to
examine, conserve, and reinstall historic murals while respecting both the artwork and the logistical requirements of large
building projects.

Institutions or collectors responsible for historic murals who wish to discuss conservation questions may contact our studio at
805-564-3438 or gena.faclbusinessmanager@gmail.com

So, present day, the City of Long Beach wanted to recuperate the original appearance of the murals and ensure their long term preservation. Fine Art Conservation Laboratories, a professional mural art conservation firm that had a long history of successful city, state and federal government mural restoration projects was contracted.

The cleaning process involved the safe varnish removal without removing the previous restorations. The original colors and details that were obscured were returned closer to their intended values, including better contrast and depth of field in the composition.

The badly wrinkled section was relaxed by warming and then reinforced for future stability.

Stable conservation grade varnish was brush applied to bring out the best appearance of the artwork.

We never use oil paint.

Inpainting or retouching is never done with oil paint. Conservation grade paint, which always remains removable and color stable, were used to correct or blend some of the previous restorations. New varnish provides for better surface protection against accidents and vandalism.

Installation of the WPA Murals in the New Long Beach Library

After the mural conservation treatments were reviewed by the general contractor, the project manager and the person overseeing the art, the panels were enthusiastically accepted and put into the high profile location of the Billie Jean King atrium of the new Long Beach Public Library. Check out this authority reference!!! https://livingnewdeal.org/sites/billie-jean-king-main-library-murals-long-beach-ca/

Billie Jean King Atrium

The WPA murals in the Billie Jean King Atrium

You may also be interested in another WPA mural project just next door at the San Pedro High School, the renovation of which is nearing completion at the end of this year. Here’s a peek at the authoritative inside scoop: https://www.fineartconservationlab.com/murals/saving-public-art-wpa-pre-world-war-ii-murals-by-tyron-comfort-from-demolition-in-los-angeles/

Questions: Scott M. Haskins, Virginia Panizzon, Julia Betancor –  Art Conservators 805 564 3438 faclartdoc@gmail.com

If you have questions and want to chat about the [preservation and restoration of mural (historic or contemporary outdoor public art) or have questions about art you care about, you are welcome to contact our team at Fine Art Conservation Laboratories. We are always glad to review photographs and discuss your specific “itch”.

Scott M. Haskins or Virginia Panizzon,

Art Conservators

Phone: 805-564-3438

Email: faclartdoc@gmail.com

or Gena Dillon, Business Manager

FACL.BusinessManager@gmail.com  805 564 3438

Scott M. Haskins and Virginia Panizzon Veteran Art Conservators at Fine Art Conservation Laboratories.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Murals | Tagged | 14 Comments