Onsite Conservation — Articles — The Conservation Center

The Conservation Center's dedication to the long-term preservation of artworks and heirlooms reaches far beyond the walls of our laboratory. Since 2007 we have published our educational newsletter monthly, sharing hundreds of conservation stories with our subscribers. We also believe in sharing our experience and expertise with professionals whose work intersects with conservation. Through lectures, learning modules, and podcasts, our goal is to help prepare insurance professionals for the day they respond to a claim that includes fine art. We are proud to collaborate with The Property & Liability Resource Bureau (PLRB) to provide their members with continuing education opportunities and would like to share one of those topics with you - Ethics in Conservation.

Frederic Clay Bartlett's 56 Panels: A Gothic Chase And Feast

The conservators at The Conservation Center had the rare privilege to conserve a mural in one of Chicago's historic buildings. The University Club of Chicago is a private social club that was founded in 1887 “by university graduates who wanted a special place where they could enjoy intellectual pursuits.” The Club’s current building was constructed in 1907-09 by renowned architectural firm Holabird and Roche, and with its distinct Neo-Gothic facade, it still stands out today amongst the buildings along Chicago’s Michigan Avenue. For the interior spaces, the Club hired fellow member and Chicago artist Frederic Clay Bartlett (1873-1953) to design the interior decor of the club, which included such original artwork as Bartlett’s 56-panel mural on the ceiling of the Club’s Michigan Room.