Marjorie Shelley, "The Care and Handing of Art Objects"
Marjorie Shelley, "The Care and Handing of Art Objects"
MetMuseum | 2019 | ISBN: 1588397122 | English | PDF | 220 pages | 9 MB
MetMuseum | 2019 | ISBN: 1588397122 | English | PDF | 220 pages | 9 MB
The Metropolitan Museum of Art houses one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive collections of works of art from antiquities to modern and contemporary material. Their preservation is a responsibility shared by the many individuals employed at the Museum who have direct contact with the collection on a daily basis. "The Care and Handing of Art Objects" — first published in the 1940s and continually updated—offers a guide to the best practices in handling and preserving works of art while on display, in storage, and in transit. It explains many of the fundamental principles of conservation that underlie these methods.
One of the goals of the publication is to make the complexities of caring for a collection readily accessible by offering basic guidelines for the preservation of the diverse materials and art objects found in The Met. Each chapter of Part I addresses a different medium ranging from paintings on canvas, works on paper, and photographs to furniture, upholstery, and arms and armor. The sections provides an overview of the particular environmental, handling, and housing factors needed to prevent damage and ensure preservation of each material. Written by experts in the respective specialty, the text summarizes the field's most critical preservation issues, many of which are amplified by photographs.
Part II succinctly describes factors that affect the collection as a whole. Among these concerns the book features current environmental standards for temperature, relative humidity, light exposure, storage, and art in transit. The text also addresses integrated pest management and emergency preparedness and response. Charts on storage and display conditions as well as factors contributing to deterioration provide an easy reference for readers. A glossary of conservation terms, principles, and housing materials helps to guide for those unfamiliar with the field.
"The Care and Handing of Art Objects" draws on the knowledge of conservators, scientists, and curators from many different departments, along with that technicians and engineers whose expertise crosses boundaries of culture, chronology, medium, and condition. It is an invaluable resource for students, collectors, small museums, museum study programs, art dealers, and members of the public who want to enhance their understanding of how works of art are safeguarded and the role environment, handling, and materials play in making this possible.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
PREFACE: ART HANDLING—A FEW GUIDELINES
INTRODUCTION
1. METALS
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
HANDLING
STORAGE
Suggested Reading
2. CERAMICS AND GLASS
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
TRANSPORT
Suggested Reading
3. SCULPTURE
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
HANDLING AND TRANSPORT
STORAGE
Suggested Reading
4. ARMS AND ARMOR
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
HANDLING
STORAGE
TRANSPORT WITHIN THE MUSEUM
PACKING FOR LOCAL TRANSPORT
5. ETHNOGRAPHIC FABRICS AND FIBER-BASED OBJECTS
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
HANDLING, STORAGE, AND DISPLAY
ASSESSING THE CONDITION OF ETHNOGRAPHIC WORKS OF ART
DISPLAY
STORAGE AND TRANSPORT WITHIN THE MUSEUM
Suggested Reading
6. ETHNOGRAPHIC OBJECTS WITH A SOLID CORE
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
HANDLING, STORAGE, AND DISPLAY
Suggested Reading
7. MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
HANDLING
STORAGE
TRANSPORT
Suggested Reading
8. WOOD: FURNITURE AND DECORATIVE WORKS OF ART
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
HANDLING
HOUSEKEEPING
STORAGE
TRANSPORT
Suggested Reading
9. ASIAN LACQUER
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
HANDLING
STORAGE AND TRANSPORT
Suggested Reading
10. IVORY, BONE, AND ANTLER
CHARACTERISTICS AND IDENTIFICATION
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
HANDLING
DISPLAY
STORAGE
TRANSPORT
Suggested Reading
11. PAINTINGS AND FRAMES
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
HANDLING
STORAGE
TRANSPORT OF PAINTINGS
Suggested Reading
12. WORKS ON PAPER
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
HANDLING
STORAGE AND DISPLAY MATERIALS
TRANSPORT
Suggested Reading
13. PORTRAIT MINIATURES ON VELLUM, IVORY, AND METAL
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
HANDLING
STORAGE
Suggested Reading
14. PHOTOGRAPHS AND DIGITAL PRINTS
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
HANDLING
TRANSPORTATION WITHIN THE MUSEUM
Suggested Reading
15. THE CARE AND HANDLING OF BOOKS
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
HANDLING
STORAGE
TRANSPORT
Suggested Resources
16. EAST ASIAN PAINTINGS ON SILK AND PAPER: HANGING SCROLLS, HANDSCROLLS, FOLDING SCREENS, STORAGE BOXES, ALBUMS, AND FANS
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
THE MOUNTING STRUCTURE
HANDLING BASICS
HANGING SCROLLS: UNROLLING AND RE-ROLLING
HANDSCROLLS
STORAGE BOXES AND WRAPPERS
FOLDING SCREENS
ALBUMS AND FANS
TRANSPORT WITHIN THE MUSEUM
Suggested Reading
17. THE CARE AND HANDLING OF FLAT TEXTILES
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
HANDLING
STORAGE
TRANSPORT WITHIN THE MUSEUM
Suggested Reading
18. COSTUMES
INTRODUCTION
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS: CAUSES OF DAMAGE
DISPLAY
STORAGE
TRANSPORT
Suggested Reading
19. UPHOLSTERY
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
PESTS
HANDLING
ROUTINE CLEANING
STORAGE
TRANSPORT WITHIN THE MUSEUM
Suggested Reading
20. PREVENTION, IDENTIFICATION, AND CONTROL OF BIODETERIORATION IN THE MUSEUM ENVIRONMENT
INTRODUCTION
CONTROLLING BIODETERIORATION: INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
Suggested Reading
21. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE GUIDELINES
HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTECTION
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
SUGGESTED INVENTORY OF SUPPLIES FOR EMERGENCY CARTS
Suggested Reading
22. ART IN TRANSIT
CREATING AN ART-SAFE ENVIRONMENT
ART TRANSPORT SAFETY AWARENESS
23. ART IN TRANSITION: THE REGISTRAR'S STOREROOM
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
LOG-IN AND EXAMINATION
HANDLING
PACKING
UNPACKING
TEMPORARY STORAGE
24. STOREROOM MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION
LOCATION
THE STORAGE ENVIRONMENT
ACTIVITY AND WORKSPACES IN THE STOREROOM
COLLECTIONS CABINETRY AND OTHER STOREROOM FURNITURE
ARRANGEMENT OF OBJECTS WITHIN THE STOREROOM
STOREROOM POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
25. MUSEUM LOANS
PRELOAN CHECKS
BASIC LOAN CRITERIA
CONDITIONS OF AGREEMENT
LOAN RENEWALS
COURIERS
26. GUIDELINES FOR PHOTOGRAPHY OF ARTWORKS
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
PHOTOGRAPHERS UNDER CONTRACT
VISITORS TO THE MUSEUM
27. ENVIRONMENTAL GUIDELINES FOR PRESERVING WORKS OF ART: RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND TEMPERATURE
KNOWING THE PROPERTIES OF THE ARTWORK
28. ENVIRONMENTAL GUIDELINES FOR PRESERVING WORKS OF ART: MAKING THE ENVIRONMENT SAFE
CHART 1. ENVIRONMENTAL GUIDELINES FOR DISPLAY AND STORAGE: RELATIVE HUMIDITY, TEMPERATURE, AND LIGHT
CHART 2 . ENVIRONMENTAL GUIDELINES FOR COLD STORAGE
CHART 3. ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE DETERIORATION OF ARTWORKS
29. GLOSSARY
PREFACE: ART HANDLING—A FEW GUIDELINES
INTRODUCTION
1. METALS
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
HANDLING
STORAGE
Suggested Reading
2. CERAMICS AND GLASS
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
TRANSPORT
Suggested Reading
3. SCULPTURE
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
HANDLING AND TRANSPORT
STORAGE
Suggested Reading
4. ARMS AND ARMOR
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
HANDLING
STORAGE
TRANSPORT WITHIN THE MUSEUM
PACKING FOR LOCAL TRANSPORT
5. ETHNOGRAPHIC FABRICS AND FIBER-BASED OBJECTS
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
HANDLING, STORAGE, AND DISPLAY
ASSESSING THE CONDITION OF ETHNOGRAPHIC WORKS OF ART
DISPLAY
STORAGE AND TRANSPORT WITHIN THE MUSEUM
Suggested Reading
6. ETHNOGRAPHIC OBJECTS WITH A SOLID CORE
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
HANDLING, STORAGE, AND DISPLAY
Suggested Reading
7. MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
HANDLING
STORAGE
TRANSPORT
Suggested Reading
8. WOOD: FURNITURE AND DECORATIVE WORKS OF ART
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
HANDLING
HOUSEKEEPING
STORAGE
TRANSPORT
Suggested Reading
9. ASIAN LACQUER
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
HANDLING
STORAGE AND TRANSPORT
Suggested Reading
10. IVORY, BONE, AND ANTLER
CHARACTERISTICS AND IDENTIFICATION
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
HANDLING
DISPLAY
STORAGE
TRANSPORT
Suggested Reading
11. PAINTINGS AND FRAMES
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
HANDLING
STORAGE
TRANSPORT OF PAINTINGS
Suggested Reading
12. WORKS ON PAPER
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
HANDLING
STORAGE AND DISPLAY MATERIALS
TRANSPORT
Suggested Reading
13. PORTRAIT MINIATURES ON VELLUM, IVORY, AND METAL
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
HANDLING
STORAGE
Suggested Reading
14. PHOTOGRAPHS AND DIGITAL PRINTS
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
HANDLING
TRANSPORTATION WITHIN THE MUSEUM
Suggested Reading
15. THE CARE AND HANDLING OF BOOKS
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
HANDLING
STORAGE
TRANSPORT
Suggested Resources
16. EAST ASIAN PAINTINGS ON SILK AND PAPER: HANGING SCROLLS, HANDSCROLLS, FOLDING SCREENS, STORAGE BOXES, ALBUMS, AND FANS
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
THE MOUNTING STRUCTURE
HANDLING BASICS
HANGING SCROLLS: UNROLLING AND RE-ROLLING
HANDSCROLLS
STORAGE BOXES AND WRAPPERS
FOLDING SCREENS
ALBUMS AND FANS
TRANSPORT WITHIN THE MUSEUM
Suggested Reading
17. THE CARE AND HANDLING OF FLAT TEXTILES
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
HANDLING
STORAGE
TRANSPORT WITHIN THE MUSEUM
Suggested Reading
18. COSTUMES
INTRODUCTION
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS: CAUSES OF DAMAGE
DISPLAY
STORAGE
TRANSPORT
Suggested Reading
19. UPHOLSTERY
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
PESTS
HANDLING
ROUTINE CLEANING
STORAGE
TRANSPORT WITHIN THE MUSEUM
Suggested Reading
20. PREVENTION, IDENTIFICATION, AND CONTROL OF BIODETERIORATION IN THE MUSEUM ENVIRONMENT
INTRODUCTION
CONTROLLING BIODETERIORATION: INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
Suggested Reading
21. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE GUIDELINES
HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTECTION
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
SUGGESTED INVENTORY OF SUPPLIES FOR EMERGENCY CARTS
Suggested Reading
22. ART IN TRANSIT
CREATING AN ART-SAFE ENVIRONMENT
ART TRANSPORT SAFETY AWARENESS
23. ART IN TRANSITION: THE REGISTRAR'S STOREROOM
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
LOG-IN AND EXAMINATION
HANDLING
PACKING
UNPACKING
TEMPORARY STORAGE
24. STOREROOM MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION
LOCATION
THE STORAGE ENVIRONMENT
ACTIVITY AND WORKSPACES IN THE STOREROOM
COLLECTIONS CABINETRY AND OTHER STOREROOM FURNITURE
ARRANGEMENT OF OBJECTS WITHIN THE STOREROOM
STOREROOM POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
25. MUSEUM LOANS
PRELOAN CHECKS
BASIC LOAN CRITERIA
CONDITIONS OF AGREEMENT
LOAN RENEWALS
COURIERS
26. GUIDELINES FOR PHOTOGRAPHY OF ARTWORKS
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
PHOTOGRAPHERS UNDER CONTRACT
VISITORS TO THE MUSEUM
27. ENVIRONMENTAL GUIDELINES FOR PRESERVING WORKS OF ART: RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND TEMPERATURE
KNOWING THE PROPERTIES OF THE ARTWORK
28. ENVIRONMENTAL GUIDELINES FOR PRESERVING WORKS OF ART: MAKING THE ENVIRONMENT SAFE
CHART 1. ENVIRONMENTAL GUIDELINES FOR DISPLAY AND STORAGE: RELATIVE HUMIDITY, TEMPERATURE, AND LIGHT
CHART 2 . ENVIRONMENTAL GUIDELINES FOR COLD STORAGE
CHART 3. ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE DETERIORATION OF ARTWORKS
29. GLOSSARY
Marjorie Shelley is Sherman Fairchild Conservator in Charge of the Paper Conservation Department at the Met. She holds a Master’s degree in art history from New York University Institute of Fine Arts, and a degree in conservation from New York University Conservation Center. Her specialization is the conservation of European and American works on paper and pastels from the fifteenth through early twentieth century. She has written extensively and lectured widely on the conservation, history and analysis of works of art in her field.