What Are the Different Careers in Art Conservation and Restoration?
Art conservation and restoration involves preventing the decay of a work of art and bringing it back to its original quality, often after years of neglect. Careers in this field tend to be divided by what type of art is being conserved. Experts focus on a particular medium: either paintings, sculptures, textiles, or paper. Art restoration professionals in any one of these mediums must be experts on artistic style, history and safe preservation methods. Chemistry is a major component of art conservation and restoration efforts dealing with painting. One of the biggest jobs of a painting restorer is to first diagnose the level of damage to a work, often caused by smoke, dirt and sunlight, and second determine how to repair this damage. Understanding the chemical makeup of the paint and canvas helps experts determine the best way to clean and restore the paint to its natural luster. Painting preservation experts must also know how to repair torn canvases and antique frames.
