They say a broken mirror causes seven years of bad luck, but with the work of our skilled conservators, we can cut that timeframe down to a few months of treatment. When this beautiful gilded mirror arrived at The Center in pieces after a fall, our team knew exactly how to handle this multi-faceted project.
When After the Ball, a painting depicting Cinderella’s hurried exit from the ball with a lost glass slipper left on the staircase, arrived at The Center, we knew it deserved a fairytale ending. Our client shared that it is the centerpiece of a “polyptych,” a series illustrating the entire story. These paintings were originally discovered by a family member in an antique market in Milan, where they were believed to be of French origin. Our conservators were eager to work their magic and restore this vital piece of Cinderella’s story.
The Conservation Center is honored to be named one of the 2024 ARTnews Top Art World Professionals. The list focuses on the leaders in 12 categories within the United States, the largest single national market for art.
Sliver-thin, delicately cut, and masterfully assembled into breathtaking images and patterns; one does not need to know much about marquetry to understand the skill it requires. A process dating back thousands of years, marquetry is the beautiful result of years of training, perfection, and artisanship.
Surrealism was explored in the Midwest as a dreamlike and domestic embrace of the subconscious. The Surrealist circles around Chicago considered realistic and psychic subject matter in a way that was both meticulous and deeply unsettling, blending the local with the fantastical. Though never a formal movement, the traditions of Midwestern surrealism and magical realism include the works of many notable artists, such as Gertrude Abercrombie, Julia Thecla, Harold Noecker, Ivan Albright, Dorothea Tanning, and John Wilde.
Released between 1997 and 2007, the Harry Potter series reshaped the landscape of children's literature, capturing the imaginations of readers around the world. Its themes of friendship, courage, and the eternal struggle between good and evil resonate deeply with audiences of all ages. When a client sent us their prized first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, we were thrilled to conserve such a magical treasure!
How in the world did a 39-year-old small town entrepreneur in downstate Illinois, in the depths of the Great Depression no less, get a ticket to what turned out to be one of the most famous games in all of sport? Known as the Babe Ruth “Called Shot” World Series game, it featured the Chicago Cubs vs. the New York Yankees at Wrigley Field in Chicago on October 1, 1932. In the 5th inning, Babe Ruth pointed to the outfield bleachers with his bat, then promptly hit a home run.
In the 1920s, Caresse Crosby (born Mary Phelps Jacob; April 20, 1892 – January 24, 1970) emerged as a vibrant and influential figure, an American expatriate in Paris’s rich cultural and artistic circles. Alongside her husband, Harry Crosby, she embraced the bohemian lifestyle, mingling with leading artists, writers, and intellectuals reflecting the spirit of the Lost Generation.
Every so often, we get the chance to work on an incredibly sentimental and historically important heirloom brought in by one of our very own staff members.
This collection of eight telegrams, two letters, three notes, and one photograph belonged to one of our team members' great-great grandfather and traces his time in the service during World War II.
Charles Edward Hovey, the first president of Illinois State Normal University (now Illinois State University), played a pivotal role in the institution's early years. Located in Normal, Illinois, ISU was founded in 1857 and is the oldest public university in Illinois. The Milner Library at Illinois State University proudly holds two historically significant artifacts that reflect the legacy of Charles Edward Hovey: a portrait painting and a Civil War battle-used sword. The portrait is a rare image of Hovey before his military service, making it an essential piece of the University's historical collection.
From the Museum of Osteopathic Medicine collection at A.T. Still University in Kirksville, Missouri, this beaded bag is not just a fine example of Plains Indian craftsmanship but a significant piece of the osteopathy history. It is believed to have originated from the Sioux and was likely crafted for the tourist trade. But this artifact, made from tan leather and adorned with intricate beadwork, belonged to Andrew Taylor Still, the founder of osteopathy and the namesake of A.T. Still University. The bag features green cloth trim along its perimeter and the top of the pocket opening, complemented by pink beaded loops along the long arm and yellow beaded loops around the bottom circle and pocket opening.
In the hands of Rob Kleeman, Senior Conservator of Furniture, a delicate, cherished, and unusual musical birdcage found new life through careful conservation. Housed within a gold-painted wooden base adorned with intricate brass fittings, this mechanical musical bird arrived with tales of fond memories and decades of wear.
Lessie Venardo Dixon is an American artist known for his evocative and thought-provoking works, characterized by emotional depth and intricate detailing. Raised in Henning, TN, he discovered his love for the arts in Chicago, IL, where he later developed a passion for Portrait and Plein Air oil painting. In 2011, he founded ANI Afrocentric Neo-Impressionism, a style marked by bold colors and thick, expressive brushstrokes that celebrate African culture and history. Dixon's work has been recognized through significant exhibitions and awards, including the Best in Show Painting Award at the Museum of Science and Industry's Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition.
Currier and Ives was a prominent American printmaking firm based in New York City, operating from 1834 to 1907. Founded by Nathaniel Currier and later joined by James Merritt Ives, the firm became renowned for its popular and affordable prints. They produced lithographs depicting various subjects, including landscapes, historical events, domestic scenes, and portraits. Their works were widely distributed, making art accessible to the American middle class and shaping the visual culture of the 19th century.
The Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman, designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1956, stands as a hallmark of mid-century modern design. The husband-and-wife designers were pioneers in modern architecture and furniture design. The Eames Lounge Chair was their first foray into high-end furniture and was intended to provide a modern take on the traditional English club chair. This cherished Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman not only exemplifies exquisite craftsmanship and design but also holds deep sentimental value for its owner.
Preserving historical glass negatives is a meticulous and delicate process, essential for maintaining the integrity and accessibility of these valuable artifacts. Photographic glass plates—predecessors to film—decreased in popularity during the 20th century, but they were still common and reliable in the early 1900s when this photograph was taken. "Facing Freedom," a circa 1910 photograph attributed to Charles Duprez of Brown Brothers, depicts a family newly arrived at Ellis Island gazing at the Statue of Liberty, capturing a significant moment in American history.
Antique sewing machines are not merely functional devices; they are historical artifacts that reflect their time's technological advancements and artistic sensibilities. Preserving these machines involves a meticulous process that maintains their functionality and history. The Antique and Fine Furniture Department at The Conservation Center recently conserved two antique sewing machines, a detailed process showcasing the careful work involved in this type of furniture.
Camy Rocher, a talented Haitian artist whose life ended far too soon, left behind a legacy that continues to captivate art enthusiasts. Born in 1959 and tragically passing away at the tender age of 21 in 1980, Rocher's artistic journey was cut short, but his impact on the art world remains deep. Rocher's painting Erzulie stands as a testament to his talent and vision.
CONTACT US
312.944.5401
