Get Intimate With Your Art – Maintenance Dusting of Michelangelo’s David Provides A Suggestion For Your Collection.

Posted on December 3, 2022 by Scott M. Haskins


https://youtube.com/shorts/fG38rJwdBvw?feature=share

Every two months Michelangelo’s David is “dusted” to remove microscopic dust and debris. It’s the job of Eleonora Pucci, in-house art conservator at the Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence, a job she described as “exhilarating,” if somewhat unnerving.

To clean the 17 ft tall statue, a specialist in-house team builds a scaffolding tower in the rotunda housing the David, taking special precautions.

Using a small brush made of synthetic fiber, Eleonora caresses the statue, raising particles which are immediately sucked up by a small vacuum cleaner strapped to her back, expressly designed to be used on statues and museum architecture. (backpack vacuum cleaners with ultra high capture ability (of the dust), soft brush nozzles and HEPA filters are available commonly).

While you may think that the effort is worth it because it is Michelangelo’s David we are talking about, I beg to differ. With precautions, all art on display can undergo some type of safe maintenance, periodically… but not every two months is required.

Proper protection from damage and proper maintenance can maximize the enjoyment and maintain the value of the artwork. After all, a careful/thoughtful-hands-on relationship with your art turns your “decoration” into a relationship. 

If you are uneasy, or even if you are not uneasy, about handling valuable art items (see this article about if something is “worth it”…and about what you should do to maintain your art, speak with an art conservator and ask if he/she is for hire to give you an in-house mini training session. Unless the art conservator has no people skills, you should enjoy the visit immensely (even more with some afternoon tea and cookies), a nice moment to further pick his/her brain.  In fact, you should video the instruction for review later.

I promise you, the activity will be much more satisfying and valuable than telling the housekeeper hit everything with Pledge and a rag for a superficial tidy look. In addition to getting to know your art connects better, it will also give you the occasion to think about earthquake safety and other protective measures.

Questions? Call Scott M. Haskins, Virginia Panizzon Art Conservators

805 564 3438 office

p.s.  If you would like to know more about what you can do to protect and preserve your original family history items, collectibles and memorabilia click on this link for a free copy of Scott M. Haskins book Save Your Stuff – Collection Care Tips, 210 pages with 35 embedded how-to videos.

p.s.s. CLICK HERE for our YouTube channel – Subscribe!  See quick video on Discovering Hidden Signatures on Paintings!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxOqa-Aa9Nk

About Scott M. Haskins

Scott Haskins has been in professional art conservation since 1975, specializing in the conservation/restoration of easel paintings, murals and art on paper. FACL, Inc. is known nationally for doing A+ work no matter the size or difficulty of the project. We are happy to do a quick cleaning on a family heirloom. Our client list and resume is also full of very satisfied clients of large, difficult/complicated projects at remote locations. Excellent services are also available as an Expert Witness/Legal Testimony in art related matters. Consultation on art related projects occur regularly including extensive insurance evaluations for insured or insurer. Services are offered worldwide. Scott M. Haskins is also author of the "Save Your Stuff" series, educational information, materials and supplies to help people protect and save their treasured family heirlooms and collectibles at home and office. He can be reached at 805 564 3438. Video and written testimonials at https://www.fineartconservationlab.com/testimonials/
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25 Responses to Get Intimate With Your Art – Maintenance Dusting of Michelangelo’s David Provides A Suggestion For Your Collection.

  1. Scott M. Haskins

    The Real Person!

    Author Scott M. Haskins acts as a real person and passed all tests against spambots. Anti-Spam by CleanTalk.

     says:
    February 10, 2023 at 10:12 am

    Hi Aaron, thanks for leaving a comment. Your questions is very difficult to answer in this limited space. There are many variables. Sorry.

  2. Olivia Sanders says:
    January 31, 2023 at 5:46 am

    Your blog posts are an invaluable educational tool for aspiring art connoisseurs like myself. Yes, I feel overwhelmed most of the time but I love the thrill this new journey is giving me. Have you thought about creating a course intended for us, total beginners?

  3. Linda V. says:
    January 22, 2023 at 7:03 am

    Recently found your Youtube channel (you should post more often as I very much enjoy your videos) and now I found your site as well. I’ve acquired a rather large collection from my parents and I would love your help, Mr. Haskins. I tried calling twice but wasn’t able to reach you yet. I’m not in need of an appraisal, but would need an art maintenance service.

  4. Miranda says:
    January 19, 2023 at 5:16 am

    I have a small collection of busts gathered throughout the years and everyone recommends the same, dry dusting while being extra, extra careful. I thought my job was tough, I can’t imagine how long it takes Eleonora to dust the whole statue.

  5. Alice says:
    December 21, 2022 at 2:23 pm

    I’ve never thought about the actual process of cleaning art pieces until I heard about it from one of my professors. After doing a bit of research I now find it intriguing and there’s so much more than meets the eye. Cleaning a historical piece like Michelangelo’s David must be very challenging and maybe even frightening. Eleonora Pucci surely has a tough but exciting job.

  6. Robert says:
    December 19, 2022 at 2:28 pm

    I used your services a few years back on a few paintings that were in need of cleaning. One was in dire need of restoration. You did a splendid job of it and I would like to recommend you to a friend who lives in Salt Lake City. Do you serve that area, Scott?

  7. Jim Burton says:
    December 18, 2022 at 3:41 am

    From what I know (and that’s not very much) hitting everything with Pledge and a rag can (in time) ruin an art piece? Is this correct?

  8. Claudia says:
    December 15, 2022 at 1:40 pm

    The book you shared at the end is fantastic! I learned so much about art collection maintenance from it and the videos provided! I highly recommend anyone go and download it. It’s quite extensive and well made and covers a lot of different areas. I’m confident it will last longer now that I know what I’m doing. Thank you so much, Scott!

  9. Rebecca Philips says:
    December 14, 2022 at 2:57 pm

    New reader here and I couldn’t be more in awe! My father was very passionate about art collecting and he passed that love to me. He passed away recently and I wanted to start learning more about this as a way to remember him.

  10. Marcus says:
    December 12, 2022 at 6:03 am

    Hi Scott,

    We worked together last year on a few WPA period pieces. Marcus, from Dallas, if you remember. Just wanted to say how much you’ve helped us both with taking care of our collection and also educating us on how to properly take care of them so they last longer. To most people, caring for art is not that difficult but it’s actually quite a complex endeavor and you can easily screw it up as I’ve discovered. If you truly value your collection, there’s no better choice than Scott M Haskins. Thank you for your passion and care for art, Scott!

    With respect,
    Marcus, Dallas

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