The Gallery has a small team of trained and experienced
paintings and frames conservators who care for the works in the
Collection and ensure that they are preserved for future
generations to enjoy.
Preventive conservation
An important part of the conservators' work is to monitor and
record the condition of the paintings and their frames while on
display, in storage, or on loan, and to take measures to prevent
future deterioration. Conservation framing ensures that the
paintings are suitably fitted in their frames; backboards protect
the paintings from damage by accident and from the environment, and
where possible paintings are glazed. The environment can have an
important effect on the condition of works of art, and light,
temperature and relative humidity levels are recorded and
controlled.
Examination and analysis
Before any treatment is carried out the work is carefully
examined, and recommendations for treatment are discussed with
curatorial colleagues. In the Gallery's conservation studios
conservators are able to examine works in infra red and ultra
violet light, and also under the stereo microscope. Where necessary
they can analyse tiny samples from the paintings to throw light on
the materials and techniques used by the artist, or to resolve
problems encountered during treatment.