Training in the Conservation of Paintings - Calouste Gulbenkian ...

TRAINING IN THE CONSERVATION OF PAINTINGS
practical help to the developing countries in the protection, restoration
and conservation of their antiquities. The problems raised by
this work are not all archaeological; and they can only mean another
call on the available number of trained restorers of paintings and
drawings.
Shortage of fully trained restorers
20. The most constant complaint aroused by the present situation
is of the shortage of fully trained restorers; and this has long been
recognised as well-founded. The approved posts of restorer grades
(i.e. excluding scientific and technical grades and craftsmen) in
public museums and galleries listed in Appendix B have increased
since the war from nil to fifty-one* posts; but not all of these are
filled and there are everywhere complaints of inadequate establishments
and of the need for more posts in conservation which could
not however be filled even if they were approved.
21. Our evidence suggests that the public museums and galleries
are the chief sufferers from this shortage, since a considerable proportion
of those who have been trained in the conservation departments
of museums and galleries for subsequent service within them
have abandoned them for more remunerative private work, especially
in London. But the independent restorers also are hard-pressed; and
the most skilled among them, who do much work for public institutions,
are unable to keep up with all the demands made on them.
Danger of unqualified practitioners
22. Another important feature of the shortage has been put to us
forcibly by our witnesses. The danger is not simply that paintings
are deteriorating for lack of attention; indeed, by no means all those
paintings which need restoration need it immediately or deserve it
at all. It is also that where the demand exceeds the supply there will
always be unqualified persons ready to fill the gap. So the problem
is twofold; how to increase the number of qualified restorers, and
how to ensure that their qualifications are recognisable and can be
insisted on, so that those who do not possess them are not encouraged
to operate.
Future demand for restoration
23. We may hope that with an understanding of the conditions
under which paintings can retain their qualities, and with highly
* This figure does not include the seven posts (with the grade of assistant restorer II) available to students
under the Government Temporary Training Scheme.
18