The Conservation

Baumgartner Fine Art Restoration

The meticulous conservation of Evert Pieters’ renowned work, “The Shell Fisher,” was executed over an intensive one-month period within the esteemed conservation studio of Julian Baumgartner, located in the vibrant city of Chicago, Illinois, during the latter part of 2024. Employing modern and widely accepted conservation practices and high-quality materials, structural weaknesses, such as the noticeable tear and the weakened tacking edge, were carefully addressed and reinforced to restore the painting's integrity. Additionally, the artwork underwent a thorough cleaning process to remove the accumulated surface grime, and the old, degraded varnish was skillfully stripped away. Any losses in the artwork were meticulously filled in, and retouching was conducted with precision, utilizing contemporary and reversible resin-based paints for optimal longevity. To conclude this extensive conservation process, a final ultraviolet stabilized varnish coating was applied, not only to protect the painting but also to enhance its overall aesthetic appeal, ensuring its preservation for future generations to appreciate.

The video can be seen here: https://youtu.be/gcMhw2w38FA