Paper & Book

Preventive conservation includes all indirect measures and actions taken to prevent the decay of an object. This form of conservation optimises the climatic conditions, providing protective packaging and adapted storage methods. We can support you in all aspects of this. For example, we can offer help with setting up your depot or displaying a unique book.

We use a special machine to cut tight passe-partouts from acid-free cardboard. In addition, we can (re)frame your objects according to the current conservation standards. We work together with a frame maker who can manufacture new frames for you.

You can contact us for a variety of treatments:

Treating parchment | Book restoration | Dry cleaning | Wet cleaning | Deacidification | Stabilising tears with Japanese paper | Removing tape and adhesive residue | Treating ink corrosion | Consolidation | Removal of stains & discolourations | Reducing bleaching with sodium borohydride | Retouching | Digital restoration

Restoration is the direct intervention on damaged or degraded objects to improve their legibility while respecting the aesthetic, historical and physical integrity as much as possible. A suitable solution is sought in consultation with the customer. We restore for heritage institutions and private individuals and offer flexibility regarding extensive collections or objects in large format.

Documentation is of great importance. After the treatment, a final report is drawn up in which all examinations and treatments are described in detail, based on photos. This offers the customer insight into the restoration process. Openness about our work is an essential pillar within our company.

Artists

Karel Appel | Hendrik Petrus Berlage | Joseph Beuys | George Hendrik Breitner | A.M. Cassandre | Pierre Cuypers | Salvador Dali | Albrecht Durer | Francisco Goya | Wally Elenbaas | Jacob Jongert | Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec | Bart van der Leck | Chris Lebeau | Antoon Molkenboer | Constant Nieuwenhuijs | Jan Schoonhoven | Willy Sluiter | Jan Toorop | Willy Vandersteen | Carel Willink

In addition to treating objects, Art Conservation also conducts material-technical research. For example, in the past we conducted research on crackle in the paint layers of objects in the CoBrA collection of the Stedelijk Museum in Schiedam. The crackle, caused by the layer-over-layer technique used by the artists, was investigated. In collaboration with the ICN we used FTIR and XRF analyses to better determine the constituents in the number of pigment particles. The results of this research meant that we could provide a more appropriate treatment, in which the paint flakes were consolidated.

In the Art Conservation studio, works on paper can be viewed with a stereo microscope where objects, materials and layers can be examined microscopically.