How we work

During treatment, showing results of simple cleaning

We are always pleased to assess the condition of your painting. We will examine it carefully, recommend treatments for its restoration, and give you an estimate of the cost and time required. If you need a more formal assessment for insurance, institutional, or records purposes, we can prepare a written Condition Report and Treatment Proposal. This document includes a detailed description of the painting’s condition and the conservation treatments it may need, an estimate of the costs involved, and a statement of the time required to complete the work. The cost of this report is nominal and will be waived if you choose to have us proceed with the work.

Whether your painting has substantial monetary value or simply the sentimental value of a treasured possession has no bearing on the cost of our work. Our charges are based solely on the time and materials required to perform the conservation treatments your painting requires, and we will make every effort to tailor our work to fit your budget.

We treat every painting with great respect both for the artist’s vision and for your appreciation of it.

Our conservation philosophy is to perform the least treatment required to stabilize the condition of the painting and restore it as closely as possible to its original appearance. To the greatest extent possible we employ reversible treatments so that, should superior conservation techniques be developed at some point in the future, they may be implemented.

We abide by the ethical guidelines of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works.