Mend Our Broken Art
The Mend Our Broken Art (MOBA) conservation program arose from a great need. In 2006, it became evident that our small staff did not have the resources it required to care for the Sloane Collection. The decision was made to reveal our broken art: everything in our collection that was dirty and degraded was put on display for the public to see, in hopes that the community might pitch in to support our conservation efforts.
With your help, the Hermitage has already raised over $20,000 and contributed toward the total conservation of over 30 objects. That is a tremendous accomplishment, but our work is not yet done. Many pieces in the collection still require conservation at some level.
Adopting a piece offers a rare opportunity for art enthusiasts to meet conservators and become intimately involved in the conservation process from beginning to end. These generous patrons also become members of our conservators circle (link).
It is not often that a museum reveals its stumbling blocks. It is not often that a museum appeals to the community in a way that breaks down the division between staff and visitors. There is no smoke and mirrors here; just a group of people trying to do the very best they can for objects in their care. Please consider making a donation toward our conservation fund. No amount is too small
Conservation Success Stories:
Girl Drinking From a Shell
Purchased in 1927 by Florence Sloane for placement just outside her formal rose garden, Girl Drinking From a Shell fit naturally with the Hermitage landscape. Upon completion of the last architectural addition to the Hermitage in 1936, McCartan’s fountain was moved to the South Terrace where it stood for seventy years.
Edward McCartan, a New York State artist influenced strongly by French sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon, based many of his designs on nature and Greek mythology. McCartan studied in Paris at L’École des Beaux-Arts where he was mentored by Jean Antoine Injalbert. Known best for idealizing human form through his skilled craftsmanship, Edward McCartan is renowned as one of the great American artists. In 1915 he created Girl Drinking From a Shell which was first exhibited in 1916 at the Albright Art Gallery in New York.
Through donations during the 2007 and 2008 MOBA exhibitions, we raised enough money to complete the conservation of Girl Drinking from a Shell. The treatment of this life-size bronze fountain by Edward McCartan was performed on-site by Andrew Baxter of Bronze, et al Conservation Services.
Conservator’s Circle (2006-2010):
| Joan Atkinson Kay and Al Abiouness Tom and Arlene Baragona Sevda and Kemal Basar Amy and Greg Byrne Stuart Davis Connie Davis Anne-Taylor Cahill Joanne Fletcher Rich and Pam Gray Josh and Caitlin Hanbury Anna Hudgins William and Allene Hull Tom and Patricia Isenhour Nancy and Everett Martin John and Sally Meek Ken and Marilyn Meek |
Melissa Mullins Ellie Lewis and David Murch John and Sallie Meek Melissa Mullins Mary and Paul Norris David and Jessica O'Connor Lia and Rhett Russell Laura Sanders in honor of John and Tarl Sanders Stuart and Sheila Schwartz Andrew G. Silva Martha and John Stewart Parker and Susan Stokes Keith Johnson and Kurt Taylor Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral The Hermitage Auxiliary Anonymous |
