Restoration

As a museum with the “Museum of France” label, conservators that work on the museum’s collections are professionals of the art world. For several years now, the Archery and Valois museum has been leading an ambitious restoration policy of its collections, which has permitted to considerably improve the quality of the artworks shown to the public. The ensemble of sculptures, for example, benefits from an annual checkup and many artworks have been restored individually.

How does a conservator work ?

To make their assessment, the conservator does a cross examination of a few assessment and analysis methods before giving the person in charge of the collection several choices, with a discussion of the best option ongoing. Amongst the examination methods are those that do not necessitate a material sample, such as surface examinations with a low-angled light, ultraviolet rays, infrared, or X-rays, and those with samples that are then analyzed in a laboratory and subsequently allow the physicochemical compositions of the artwork’s materials to be brought to light. Any restoration comes with measures for preventive conservation, which means examining and tinkering with the climate, environment, hanging method and the storing of the artworks in order to give them the best conservation conditions and extend their life expectancy. Each step of the restoration is of course documented and an illustrated file is on hand during any intervention.