Paper Conservation

Additional Resources

Related Research

Multimedia

Located at the Legion of Honor, the paper conservation laboratory handles the preservation and conservation needs of close to 100,000 prints, drawings, photographs and books in the Museums’ collection. Caring for such varied works of art presents unique challenges and requires varied treatments. The scale of conservation efforts ranges from working under the microscope consolidating paint on an Indian miniature to devising the best way way to display a 17-foot contemporary photograph.

Paper conservators currently on staff are head paper conservator Debra Evans and assistant conservator Victoria Binder.

Paper Conservation Photos from Flickr

Paper Conservation<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/famsf/5933921427"> (view photo on flickr.com)</a><br /><span class="description">Paper lab essentials: excellent natural light, press for oversize materials, microscope, and fume hood.</span>

Paper Conservation<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/famsf/5933913909"> (view photo on flickr.com)</a><br /><span class="description">Sink large enough for washing a 5’X7’ print and light bleaching system employing metal halide lights.</span>

Paper Conservation<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/famsf/5933914247"> (view photo on flickr.com)</a><br /><span class="description">Paper and photograph conservators confer on the best way to treat an oversize photograph.</span>

Paper Conservation<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/famsf/5934482394"> (view photo on flickr.com)</a><br /><span class="description">Bathing a discolored print using a slant board and capillary action of directional polyester fabric.</span>

Paper Conservation<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/famsf/5934477814"> (view photo on flickr.com)</a><br /><span class="description">Pulp filling losses in a 18th c. print.</span>

Paper Conservation<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/famsf/5934476900"> (view photo on flickr.com)</a><br /><span class="description">Connecting separate panels of a monumental 17th c.etching/engraving.</span>

Paper Conservation<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/famsf/5934480726"> (view photo on flickr.com)</a><br /><span class="description">Traditional Japanese mounters’ tools are frequently used.</span>

Paper Conservation<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/famsf/5933921903"> (view photo on flickr.com)</a><br /><span class="description">Straining wheat starch paste prior to treatment of a damaged 19th c. lithograph.</span>

Paper Conservation<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/famsf/5933916567"> (view photo on flickr.com)</a><br /><span class="description">Application of a Japanese tissue paper lining to add support to a damaged print.</span>

Paper Conservation<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/famsf/5934475614"> (view photo on flickr.com)</a><br /><span class="description">Final stage of treatment: inpainting the areas of loss.</span>

Paper Conservation<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/famsf/5933915679"> (view photo on flickr.com)</a><br /><span class="description">Inpainting is done with watercolors and a very fine sable brush.</span>

Paper Conservation<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/famsf/5933916169"> (view photo on flickr.com)</a><br /><span class="description">Losses, such as these insect damages on a Japanese print, can be successfully filled with matching paper.</span>

Paper Conservation<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/famsf/5934477748"> (view photo on flickr.com)</a><br /><span class="description">Treatment reunites two halves of a torn poster.</span>

Paper Conservation<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/famsf/5934475020"> (view photo on flickr.com)</a><br /><span class="description">Cleaning of a delicate autochrome plate prior to re-housing.</span>

Paper Conservation<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/famsf/5934473796"> (view photo on flickr.com)</a><br /><span class="description">String mount for a Michelangelo drawing that must be seen from both sides.</span>

Paper Conservation<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/famsf/5933919739"> (view photo on flickr.com)</a><br /><span class="description">Monitoring light levels in the gallery.</span>

Paper Conservation<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/famsf/5933916313"> (view photo on flickr.com)</a><br /><span class="description">Calibration of a hygrothermograph, which measures temperature and relative humidity.</span>

Paper Conservation<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/famsf/5933913211"> (view photo on flickr.com)</a><br /><span class="description">Consultation with a Japanese mounter, a specialist contracted to treat a delicate painting on silk.</span>

Paper Conservation<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/famsf/5934482988"> (view photo on flickr.com)</a><br /><span class="description">Transmitted light used to examine a costume piece, a 19th c. paper bolero.</span>

Paper Conservation<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/famsf/5934479022"> (view photo on flickr.com)</a><br /><span class="description">Transmitted light reveals watermarks, which can help in dating artworks.</span>

Paper Conservation<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/famsf/5933914893"> (view photo on flickr.com)</a><br /><span class="description">Using a sheet metal brake to construct a custom plastic mount for an artist’s book going on exhibit.</span>

Paper Conservation<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/famsf/5934473718"> (view photo on flickr.com)</a><br /><span class="description">Book installation in process in the gallery.</span>

Paper Conservation<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/famsf/5933920189"> (view photo on flickr.com)</a><br /><span class="description">Examination is often done with a high-powered binocular microscope, used to detect issues such as possible flaking paint on this Indian miniature painting.</span>

Paper Conservation<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/famsf/5933917509"> (view photo on flickr.com)</a><br /><span class="description">Condition checks are routinely done before and after gallery installation.</span>

Paper Conservation<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/famsf/5933918591"> (view photo on flickr.com)</a><br /><span class="description">Conservator installs a 20th c. collage work.</span>

Paper Conservation<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/famsf/5933914571"> (view photo on flickr.com)</a><br /><span class="description">Installing an 17-foot photograph is a team effort.</span>

Paper Conservation<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/famsf/5933922189"> (view photo on flickr.com)</a><br /><span class="description">Three-dimensional works on paper require clever solutions for safe installation.</span>

Paper Conservation<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/famsf/5934473862"> (view photo on flickr.com)</a><br /><span class="description">A large face-mounted photograph in a public space requires periodic cleaning.</span>