Keeping Up Appearances Exhibition (2) - An Exhibition at Guernsey Museum in 2005

KEEPING UP APPEARANCES 1 \| 2 \| 3 *An exhibition of recently conserved artworks and historic costume* Guernsey Museum & Art Gallery, 5th November - 31st December 2005

SJRH11 - Before conservation		SJRH11 - After conservation
This perfectly competent late eighteenth century copy of the famous 'Madonna della Sedia' by Raphael belongs to the States of Guernsey and has hung for many years in what is now the St John's Residential home, in Saumarez Park. It's previous history is not known but, like several other works in the same situation, it had clearly suffered accidental damage in the past and the varnish had discoloured with age. With the damage repaired and the varnish replaced by a new transparent glaze, the true quality of the picture can be seen for the first time in years. The picture is shown here out of its elaborate, gilded baroque frame, which closely matches that of the original work in Florence.
About the exhibition Despite the whimsical title, this is a serious exhibition showing off works belonging to the States of Guernsey (not all from the museum's own collection) which have recently undergone conservation and/or restoration. The differences between these terms will be explained and illustrated, together with recommendations for picture owners about simple preventative conservation measures they can employ to keep their own artworks in good condition. The exhibition particularly features a number of Victorian or early 20th century portraits of unknown sitters. Any assistance from visitors who might be able to identify the subjects will be gratefully received. In addition to the artworks, the exhibition will also include the sumptuous cape or mantle bearing the Order of the Bath insignia and an Elizabethan-style costume, worn by Admiral Lord James de Saumarez to the coronation of George IV in 1823. These unique costume items have recently been acquired by the museum and have also just been conserved.