Three famous Impressionist paintings are about to undergo a major restoration at a Connecticut museum this month and the work is on display for the public to view.
Art conservators David Bull and Teresa Longyear have begun work at the Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington to restore three paintings by well-known artists, including Edgar Degas’ “Dancers in Pink” (1876), Edouard Manet’s “Toreadors” (1862-63) and Claude Monet’s “Fishing Boats at Sea” (1868). The three paintings are considered 19th-century Impressionist masterpieces, according to the museum.
But the paintings have accumulated over a century’s worth of dirt and discoloration, according to museum curators.
“Impressionist artists did not like something called varnish, which is a clear see-through substance that was put on top of paintings to protect them and give them a little shine,” said Hill-Stead Museum Executive Director and CEO Dr. Anna Swinbourne. “But while the artist did not like varnish, the sellers or dealers would often add it. Over the entire time the paintings have been at Hill-Stead, that varnish is no longer clear and has captured whatever dirt and grime is in the air.”
The Hill-Stead Museum was built in 1901 and designed by female architect Theodate Pope Riddle for her parents, Ada and Alfred Pope. For her first architectural project, Pope Riddle designed elegant rooms for her parents’ frequent entertaining and created a canvas for her father’s collection of paintings and decorative arts, according to the museum.
Swinbourne said when the paintings were purchased in the late 19th century and hung in the home, the air quality was probably much poorer than today, due to fireplaces and gas lighting that originally lit the home in the early 20th century. The dust and particles produced from that time most likely played a major role in the discoloration of the varnish.
Conservation will take place from Monday, July 15, until completion, anticipated no later than July 31. The project culminates with a panel discussion on July 24, when David Bull and Teresa Longyear will share their insights and answer questions about their findings.
“It’s like any other massive project where you’re dealing with a certain number of unknowns, and those stem from the historic nature of the project,” Swinbourne said. “It’s like renovating a historic building, but you don’t really know what is there until you start looking around. So we don’t really know how long the conservation project will last. It could last until July 31, or it may take less time than that.”
From Monday through the end of the month, visitors to the museum will have the opportunity to witness the conservation effort firsthand, according to Swinbourne. The Glass Room, where the work will be done, will serve as a transparent “fishbowl” for visitors to view the conservation work up close. Museum staff will be on hand to provide insights and answer questions, Swinbourne said. There is no additional cost after the regular admission ticket.
“We are thrilled to bring this unprecedented event to Hill-Stead,” Swinbourne said. “It’s a rare chance for the public to see the intricate work that goes into preserving our cultural heritage.”
The restoration work is meticulous and done slowly to ensure the paintings are not damaged, Swinbourne said. Out of all 24 art institutions that were selected for conservation work, the Hill-Stead is the only museum offering visitors a chance to see the conservation work in progress.
“I’m encouraging anyone to come down to the museum and see the conservation work as soon as they can,” Swinbourne said. “Because I can’t promise it will run all the way through the end of the month.”
For more details about Hill-Stead Museum’s conservation project, visit hillstead.org . The museum, located at 35 Mountain Road, Farmington, is open for daily house tours Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@courant.com
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