The Challenge
- To restore the aesthetic quality of both paintings and extend the lives of these works.
- To protect the paintings while simultaneously providing a greater visual experience.
The Solution
Optium Museum Acrylic®
Suitable for frame packages
Optium Museum Acrylic acts as a buffer to the external environment and limits the potential for change to occur by sealing the painting within its own environment.
Anti-reflective
Allows viewers to see the works rather than their own reflections.
Acrylic is half the weight of glass and shatter resistant
Safeguards against injury and damage to art work and visitors.
Anti-static protection exceeds that of glass
Makes for safer, easier framing and less cleaning.
Abrasion resistant
A durable hard coat extends the lives of the paintings with protection against scratches from cleaning and general exposure to the public.
99% UV blocking
Protects the art works from the most damaging light wavelengths, helping prevent fading and degradation, and allowing optimal lighting conditions for enhanced visibility.
The Work
The Camborne Public Library was gifted two works of art in 1903 commissioned by the Holman family and painted by William Cox. The St Ives Harbour oil on canvas painting has been displayed in the library for over century before it was chosen to receive needed care.
The Camborne Town Council applied for the Tru Vue® Conservation and Exhibition grant. The panel selected their project to be a recipient of Tru Vue Optium Museum Acrylic® to protect this work of art. Sarah Cove, an accredited conservator of paintings, was entrusted to be the professional who would care for the conservation and reframing of this item. A new frame was commissioned and the glazing that was chosen to protect this piece was Optium® 4.5mm. The Optium® is sealed with aluminum tape. After framing with brass fittings, Sarah used conservation grade blackout lining fabric to seal the back of the frame from light and pollutants forming a “micro-environment” to buffer the painting from environmental fluctuations for its longer-term preservation.
Sarah commented, “This grant funded by Tru Vue is really excellent so no doubt I will be recommending future clients to apply as many of them are heritage collections with small budgets that wish to look after their artworks in the best possible way”.
More Info
Learn more about the historical background of William Cox.
The restoration project which the grant helped to fund was carried out by Cornish based conservator-restorer Sarah Cove ACR with assistance by Professor Alan Cummings for ‘St. Ives Harbour’ and Michelle Rheeston for both.