The Worcester Art Museum is one of two in the world to receive a grant from The European Fine Art Foundation (TEFAF) Museum Restoration Fund of the Netherlands this year.
WAM plans to use the funding to restore two pendant portraits by William Hogarth of William and Elizabeth James from 1774.
“For decades these valued paintings were on display in the museum’s European galleries. In 2008, however, they were relegated to storage due to their relatively poor state of preservation,” said WAM Director Matthias Waschek. “With this amazing conservation opportunity from TEFAF, we will be able to bring two important gems out of hiding and showcase them once again in our galleries for all to enjoy.”
The portraits remained in possession of the James family in England until sold in London in 1906. They were acquired by WAM from M. Knoedler and Co. in London in December 1909, making them the first Hogarth paintings purchased by an American museum.
Conservation analyses and treatments of the paintings and their original frames will take place in the museum’s Fuller Conservation Laboratory by members of WAM’s paintings conservation team. The conservators will document their work and perform technical investigations, including infrared reflectography, digital x-radiography and multi-spectral analysis. Their findings will be posted on the museum’s website, before a short video of the process is eventually presented. Upon completion, the portraits will be returned to the galleries.
