Conserving Norman Rockwell's "United Nations"

Video for Norman Rockwell Museum's new exhibition "Conserving Norman Rockwell's 'United Nations.'" Leslie Paisley, Conservator of Paper Department Head at Williamstown Art Conservation Center, takes viewers through the process of treating a fragile work on paper through such means as aqueous water technique-- don't try this at home!
Video produced by Jeremy Clowe. ©2009 Norman Rockwell Museum. All rights reserved.
"Conserving Norman Rockwells 'United Nations'"
Norman Rockwell Museum
Opens May 2, 2009
This intimate exhibition will explore the intricacies of art conservation, from initial evaluation to complete restoration. A step-by-step investigation to the Williamstown Art Conservation Centers methods of conserving Norman Rockwells large-scale symbolic portrayal of the United Nations and the peoples of the world will offer insights into a rarely seen but essential preservation process.

Пікірлер: 31

  • @stanleytriplets
    @stanleytriplets4 жыл бұрын

    the entire genesis of Rockwell's thinking, work on himself with Erik Erikson psychotherapy, research into comparative religions, world travels to open his experiences, this charcoal piece, and the resulting '61 Saturday Evening Post cover that he "forced" them to accept (their rules were no non-whites in equal or superior status and he had been required to change an earlier cover) --- all of this is a HUGE lesson about him, his own mind, the times, and how much we have still to work on all these subjects --- I enjoy his covers and more popular / commercial art work ..... but understanding him better in this way was fulfilling .... bravo to all .... and to Mme. Paisley for an excellent video !!

  • @lonemapper
    @lonemapper7 жыл бұрын

    An amazing artist and craftsman in her own right.

  • @stevespain50
    @stevespain506 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for keeping these beautiful pieces around for future generations.

  • @RitaUdinaTaller
    @RitaUdinaTaller4 жыл бұрын

    Very interesting video, and extraordinary conservation treatment. I loved the honest explanations. Some conservators pretend to make difficult what is in fact easy, and Leslie Paisley shows just the point of the iceberg of her knowledge and skills by doing an excellent summary of the whole treatment. Any cosnervator can see that doing this requires lots of skills, knowledge and experience. Bravo for her!

  • @inesamaro2811
    @inesamaro28113 жыл бұрын

    He is truly amazing, one of the biggest inspirations for my illustration work.

  • @NormanRockwellMuseumMA
    @NormanRockwellMuseumMA15 жыл бұрын

    Apparently to our curatorial department, the fixative used by Rockwell was hairspray-- "Aqua" Net perhaps?

  • @angieCity90

    @angieCity90

    5 жыл бұрын

    Lol aquanet was a really popular hairspray back in the day and famous for its tough hold on hair !! How funny!!!

  • @patricianichols4491

    @patricianichols4491

    5 жыл бұрын

    We were still being taught (on the side, of course) in art school in the eighties, that if you were out of supplies at the moment and needed to finish your work, that a strong hold hair spray makes an excellent fixative. The ingredients are basically the same properties. But we were also warned to do this with preliminary sketches only...never finished work for clients. 😉

  • @DrWhom

    @DrWhom

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@patricianichols4491 Yup, the only difference is that the proper stuff is optimised for even coverage whereas with hairspray it is up to you. Did you do the thing where you blow over small vial (Venturi suction) and get all light-headed?

  • @thegreatvanziniphotos5976

    @thegreatvanziniphotos5976

    5 жыл бұрын

    How interesting. & this was the stuff that was yellowing?

  • @2degucitas

    @2degucitas

    3 жыл бұрын

    Art students used this to fix charcoal and pastel drawings to prevent smudging. Learned this circa 1980 in art school. Doesn't surprise me that it yellows. My mother in law used hairspray every day, and a layer built up on the bathroom walls, ceiling and door. There was no removing it, just painted over. It was a dingy amber color.

  • @ritabiro5105
    @ritabiro51053 жыл бұрын

    Thank you showing this kinde of important work for muzeums conserving and reconstructing drawings and painting.

  • @DadBodDrumming
    @DadBodDrumming7 күн бұрын

    I just checked the website and Leslie must have retired because she is no longer listed under employees. I would love to work at the Atlanta Center conserving paper good and paintings.

  • @alessirosas
    @alessirosas9 жыл бұрын

    Buenísimo!

  • @laobhaise7
    @laobhaise715 жыл бұрын

    very interesting, is it known what fixative he used?

  • @dougg1075
    @dougg10754 жыл бұрын

    I would FREAK! If that was in my care.

  • @victoriabunting1833
    @victoriabunting18335 жыл бұрын

    Awesome treatment, Leslie! Do you know how many hours it took?

  • @97Ahuatzi99
    @97Ahuatzi9914 жыл бұрын

    i have the saturday evening post from june 2,1951 gold poster. ive been searching on the internet for the same poster that i have and i cant find it...wonder how much its worth

  • @superdave54811
    @superdave548115 жыл бұрын

    What are the dimensions of this charcoal/pencil on paper piece of art? I have tried looking it up but was unable to find details on this art.

  • @NormanRockwellMuseumMA

    @NormanRockwellMuseumMA

    5 жыл бұрын

    Hi Dave, the dimensions are 27 1/4" x 73 1/2". Pencil and charcoal on paper.

  • @gilessteve
    @gilessteve5 жыл бұрын

    3:30 Prise it apart by shoving a screwdriver between the layers! That's the same approach I'd take. lol

  • @malipops315
    @malipops3153 жыл бұрын

    Leslie Paisley

  • @Cora.T
    @Cora.T5 жыл бұрын

    I always get sorta stressed out whenever I see these people wash paper. It just gives me that slight nagging nervousness that sorta sits under the surface, ya feel me? Like how does the paper survive, what kind of paper is it? Like all I know is paper that gets slightly wet and practically disintegrates

  • @wotshish
    @wotshish4 жыл бұрын

    no before and after?

  • @InFltSvc
    @InFltSvc4 жыл бұрын

    Here’s an idea just put the darn thing in a giant acrylic block .., end of story no preservation needed

  • @Agentmg17
    @Agentmg175 жыл бұрын

    Wow

  • @egparis18
    @egparis186 жыл бұрын

    The medium. Singular. Media is plural.

  • @DrWhom

    @DrWhom

    5 жыл бұрын

    Noted that too. A lot of people get this wrong, but this lady is supposed to be an expert, and "medium" is really a term you learn in art 101.

  • @ewanjacksonmusic

    @ewanjacksonmusic

    5 жыл бұрын

    It's pencil and charcoal, so media is correct

  • @tedwatson9929
    @tedwatson99295 жыл бұрын

    A screwdriver? Really?