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.
The Collector, Daniel T. Parker before treatment
The Collector, Daniel T. Parker, a captivating 2019 oil painting on medium-weight cotton canvas, is of Daniel T. Parker, a renowned art collector based in Kenwood, Chicago, known for his extensive collection that fills his duplex home. His collection spans from ancient African art to contemporary pieces by African-American and African Diaspora artists. Influenced by his mother and mentored by Dr. Margaret Burroughs, Parker founded the not-for-profit Diasporal Rhythms to promote African Diaspora art. His activism and collection aim to elevate the recognition of Black art in mainstream institutions, advocating for greater exposure and appreciation for Black artists.
The Collector, Daniel T. Parker before treatment, detail of tear, verso
The Collector, Daniel T. Parker is a powerful painting, embodying the work and philosophies of both the artist and the subject. However, when it arrived at The Conservation Center, it had been damaged and had a large horizontal tear through the figure's neck, approximately 16 inches long. There were also more minor tears: a 1/4 inch by 1/4 inch tear at the right center edge and a 1 1/2 inch horizontal tear on the figure's left chest. Despite these damages, the paint layer remained intact and stable.
The Collector, Daniel T. Parker before treatment, detail of tear
Rebecca Vodehnal, Associate Paintings Conservator, oversaw the treatment of The Collector, Daniel T. Parker. Before treatment began, the painting was thoroughly documented with photographs. The canvas, commercially prepared with a white ground layer, was carefully removed from its original strainer. The priority was addressing the canvas deformations and preparing the canvas for tear repairs. Rebecca employed techniques involving heat, suction, humidity, and weight to flatten the deformed areas as much as possible. Then, she addressed the large tear by adding tabs to the back of the canvas and gently closing and aligning the tear.
The Collector, Daniel T. Parker before treatment under raking light
Given the extent of the damage and the size of the large tear, the decision was made to line the original canvas with a prepared canvas using a conservation adhesive to provide the necessary structural support. A new stretcher with crossbars was fabricated and the canvas was re-stretched ensuring adequate tension with stretcher keys.
The Collector, Daniel T. Parker after treatment under raking light
Once re-stretched, the front of the painting was cleaned to remove surface grime using appropriate aqueous solutions. Then, the areas of paint loss within the tear was filled and inpainted using reversible conservation paints. Inpainting is time-consuming and meticulous work, but it is essential to properly ensure that the damage is minimized making the painting presentable again. It can be reversed if necessary. Rebecca Vodehnal, Associate Paintings Conservator, oversaw the treatment of The Collector, Daniel T. Parker. She remarked, "Such an extensive tear in such a prominent location was challenging to treat but very satisfying to pull it together."
The Collector, Daniel T. Parker after treatment, detail of tear repair
The final result was a fully conserved, structurally sound, and aesthetically pleasing painting, ready to be returned to its frame and displayed again. This conservation honors the intentions of both the artist, Lessie Venardo Dixon, in his dedication to celebrating African culture and history, and the subject, Daniel T. Parker, in his mission to elevate the recognition and appreciation of Black art.
The Collector, Daniel T. Parker after treatment
