Denver Art Museum Blogs

Conserving a Ming Dynasty Map Made in Japan (Video & Photos)

This article tells the story of how the Denver Art Museum conserved this map. To learn more about the map itself read this article. No longer on view. History, Artistry & Science Traditional conservation embodies what I like to refer to as the “holy trinity” of disciplines: history, artistic competency, and science.

Newly Conserved Magi on View at the Denver Art Museum

Note: This blog was originally published in 2015. Since these objects are on view in Stampede: Animals in Art, we are republishing it. Now on view in Stampede: Animals in Art are three exquisitely crafted kings on horseback made in Ecuador in the 1700s. They were once part of a larger Christmas nativity scene that illustrated the biblical story of the birth of Jesus. First displayed in Europe in the 1500s, three-dimensional nativity scenes included the Holy Family—Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus—with angels, animals, shepherds, and the three kings.

Details of the Conservation of The Virgin of Valvanera

These videos tell the story of how curators, conservators, and educators worked to conserve The Virgin of Valvanera (on view in Revealing a Mexican Masterpiece: The Virgin of Valvanera), a painting created in the 1700s. Entering its seventh year, the Bank of America Art Conservation Project has funded more than 100 projects in 29 countries, on six continents. In 2016, the Denver Art Museum was among 21 institutions to receive one of these prestigious grants.

The Virgin of Valvanera: Varnish

Artists have used varnishes to coat their paintings since the 1400s—some claim as early as the eleventh century. Varnishes serve to saturate the paint colors, provide some degree of protection for the paint surface, and to impart an even surface sheen.

The Virgin of Valvanera: Examination In-Depth

For a painting that is over 300 years old, The Virgin of Valvanera is in remarkably good condition. One would fully expect that a painting of this age has undergone several attempts at restoration (by both skilled and amateur hands). Contrary to what is usually the case, this painting has not incurred major structural damage in the form of tears or losses, has never been lined (i.e. attached to a secondary canvas or solid support material), and has not been severely over-cleaned or extensively repainted.

A Research Trip to Mexico City (Video)

As part of the research for the conservation treatment of the painting The Virgin of Valvanera, attributed to Cristóbal de Villalpando, a team from the Denver Art Museum traveled to Mexico City in March, 2017. There, the team was fortunate to visit several sites and meet with specialists on Mexican painting of the baroque period.

Conserving The Virgin of Valvanera–Overview of the Process

Art conservation is a field that encompasses a breadth of expertise. As we roll up our sleeves in anticipation of improvements and potential discoveries, a plan that will provide optimum preservation is essential.

Conserving a Painting from the 1700s: The Virgin of Valvanera

Entering its seventh year, the Bank of America Art Conservation Project has funded more than 100 projects in 29 countries, on six continents. In 2016, the Denver Art Museum was among 21 institutions to receive one of these prestigious grants.

Science & Art Come Together at Girls & Science 2016

In 2011, Beyoncé first sang the immortal words: “Who run the world? GIRLS!” And that is the theme of Girls & Science, an annual event held at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, in which girls (and boys!) and their caregivers get to meet women who work in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) professions, and get a glimpse of what they do for their careers.

Conserving the Denver Art Museum's Cow and Calf Re-Patination and Waxing

You may have recently seen Scottish Angus Cow and Calf—the larger-than-life bronze sculptures by artist Dan Ostermiller—getting their annual summer bath. Above and beyond their cleaning with a specialized mild detergent, the Cow and Calf sculptures needed other treatments, including re-patination and waxing, due to the constant physical interaction they receive from the public. The patina that gives Scottish Angus Cow and Calf its brownish-black color is actually part of the original cast bronze sculpture.

The Conservation of Linda's Modern Materials

The highly realistic sculpture Linda by Colorado artist John DeAndrea has been a visitor favorite at the Denver Art Museum since it became a part of the collection in 1984. Linda is also an important work of contemporary art in which DeAndrea made innovative use of a material that was fairly new to art at the time: plastic. This is why Linda is of such interest to us in the museum’s conservation department.

Conserving a Spanish Colonial Table Cover (Videos)

In preparation for Creative Crossroads: The Art of Tapestry (now closed), the museum’s staff have been working on a Spanish Colonial table cover in PreVIEW (a behind-the-scenes visible staging area in our textile art gallery). Curators have examined it and explored its history, and textile art conservators have been testing and repairing the tapestry. Follow this series of blogs to track their progress. PreVIEW is funded with generous support from the William H. Donner Foundation.