Conservation Focus: Rose O’Neill
Five works on paper in the Museum’s permanent collection have recently returned after receiving conservation treatment. All five works are by Rose O’Neill and will be included in the upcoming exhibition Frolic of the Mind: The Illustrious Life of Rose O’Neill, opening on April 13 at 5:30 p.m. The funds to conserve these works were generously raised in 2016 at the Museum’s annual fundraiser – 99x: Bohemian Belle.
AFTER:
The conservation varied per object ranging from a light cleaning to mending tears and in-painting. The painting, The Bachelor, underwent extensive treatment. This work was published between 1896 and 1901, and was handled by magazine editors, art directors, printers, and shippers, before returning to O’Neill. At some point, a mat was attached to the face of the painting and various edges of the paper were trimmed, patched, or lost. The mat obscured a full inch of the left side of the painting, including most of the “bachelor’s” right shoulder.
BEFORE:
The conservator cleaned the entire painting, removed the acidic backing and mat board, mended all tears with thin Japanese paper mending strips, filled edge losses as well as in-painted small areas. They also uncovered a hand-written caption on the reverse of the work! This caption helps us to research in which publication the work was published and gives us deeper context for the illustration.
A before and after demonstrates the incredible difference. This work is now suitable for exhibition and will be on view in April in Frolic of the Mind: The Illustrious Life of Rose O’Neill. When the exhibit closes, this painting will return to our climate controlled storage vaults where it will be preserved for future generations to enjoy.
Our sincere thanks are extended to the 99x Planning Committee, sponsors, stylists, and many donors whose contributions made it possible to enhance, conserve, and preserve these incredible works. We hope you enjoy seeing all five newly conserved works in person in the exhibition!
-Sarah Buhr, Curator










