National Gallery of Art

Conservation · Science · Art History

The conservation division celebrates the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art in its new biennial journal, Facture. Named for "the manner in which things are made," Facture explores themes in the materiality and history of art, addressing all aspects of the discipline from conservation treatment and history to technical art history to fundamental scientific research.

Conservation and scientific research undertaken at the Gallery on the objects in its collection are focused on artists' methods and materials—identifying the materials used by artists, understanding the ways in which different artists handled these materials, and discerning how best to preserve the qualities the artists prized. One line of inquiry supports conservation treatments by distinguishing between the artist's original work and any alterations introduced by later restorers or by the aging process. Another area advances art historical studies by tracing the artist's decision-making process, as revealed in changes made by the artist during the work's creation or by choices of novel materials and techniques. A third develops innovative materials and methods for use in conservation treatment.