Art Conservation

The Philip Johnson Glass House maintains an active art conservation program. Leading conservators, recognized for their specialization by artists, museums, and professional peers are identified and invited to participate in the program. When possible, the Glass House consults with the artist’s studio prior to treatment. Since the site opened to the public in 2007, 25 artworks have been conserved.

Conservation projects are scheduled throughout the year. During the public tour season, in-situ conservation is incorporated into the content of the tour. Artworks that require special attention, or artworks that are integral to understanding the overall design and layout of the Glass House, such as The Burial of Phocion and Two Circus Women, are shipped to conservation studios during the off-season and return by the opening of the next public tour season.

Conservation projects at the Glass House raise theoretical and practical issues in the conservation of modern and contemporary art. each project presents an opportunity for dialogue and scholarship.

2011

Donald Judd: The Cleaning and Repair of Donald Judd’s first concrete work, Untitled, 1971

2010

Elie Nadelman: The Cleaning and Conservation of Elie Nadelman’s Two Circus Women, 1930

2009

Andy Warhol: Cleaning of Andy Warhol’s Philip Johnson, 1972, July 2009

Bruce Nauman: The Conservation of Bruce Nauman’s Neon Templates of the Left Half of My Body at Ten Inch Intervals (1966)

2008

Nicolas Poussin: The cleaning and conservation of The Burial of Phocion, Attributed to Nicolas Poussin, 1648-49

2007

Frank Stella
Cleaning and Conservation of Paintings by Frank Stella, May – October 2007