NEA Conservation Grant Success

Preserving works of art and returning those in danger to their best condition are at the core of the Museum's mission.

In 2007, the Museum received a grant of $15,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts to aid in the conservation of art from all areas of the Crocker's collection. The Museum was excited at the prospect of conserving works by women and African-American artists, 17th-century Dutch painters and early Californians, all of which fill notable gaps in the Crocker galleries.

View before and after photos and learn about the conservation process by clicking on one of the images on the right.

Nine additional works, from early oil paintings to 1950s acrylics, were conserved, often with dramatic results. One 17th-century painting had not been on view for fifty years because it had been fronted with tissue to protect its vulnerable surface. After conservation, the painting is now a treasure of the European collection.

The Crocker looks forward to sharing these and other conserved works as the Museum expands its galleries.