THE CLIENT PROFILELocated in Stockbridge, Massachusetts,Naumkeag was the 44-room summer homeof Joseph Hodges Choate, an eminent NewYork lawyer and American ambassador tothe Court of St. James, England. Designedby Stanford White and built in 1884,Naumkeag is a reflection of the affluent,aristocratic America that resulted from theIndustrial Revolution. Its architecture,furnishings and landscaping provide atime-capsule of the Victorian era, spanningthe Gilded Age, the Gay Nineties and thehalcyon years preceding World War I.Surrounded by 49 acres of gardens,greenhouses and farmland, this historichome houses premier collections of periodfurniture, ceramics from around the worldand artwork by some of the most notedartists of the day. Naumkeag wasbequeathed in 1958 by Choate’s daughterto The Trustees of Reservations, a non-profit organization whose mission is topreserve areas of exceptional scenic,historic and ecological value for public useand enjoyment.

THE CONSERVATIONCHALLENGEAmong the precious artifacts at Naumkeagare two charcoal portraits by John SingerSargent. The first, a rendering of JosephChoate, is inscribed by the artist, “To myfriend Mr. Choate/John S. Sargent, London1905”. The second, a drawing of Choate’sdaughter, Mabel, is dated 1911. Also ondisplay at Naumkeag are several hatboxpanels depicting early American images inblock printed designs on cardboard. Thesewere collected and framed by MabelChoate who perceived their value as turn-

of-the-century memorabilia. The Sargentdrawings and hatbox panels are onpermanent display at Naumkeag, and wereselected to receive conservation treatmentbecause of their importance in interpretingthe historic house and its era, and becauseof their vulnerability to the uncontrolledinterior climate of Naumkeag.

THE PROCESSAND SOLUTIONConservation assessment was performed bytheWilliamstown Art Conservation Center.Since aqueous treatment on these materialspresented too many risks to the artist’smedium, the treatment approach proposedto the Trustees of Reservations focused onpreventive conservation. The proposalincluded the use of ArtcareTM matboard toslow on-going deterioration from theinherent acidic mounts of the hatboxpanels and from previous acidic framingmaterials used on the charcoal drawings.Use of ArtcareTM matboard, which containsactive zeolites, combined with moistureabsorbent sheeting (Artsorb®) within asealed frame package will trap off-gassedacids from the artwork and buffer theartwork from moisture.

Alpharag® ArtcareTM 8-ply Ivory matboardwas chosen for both Sargent portraits. Forthe portrait of Joseph Choate, an antiquedgold foil strip was adhered to the face of thewindow mat to replicate the look of theoriginal mat. Both unfixed charcoalportraits were hinged onto 4-ply IvoryAlpharag® ArtcareTM and vapor-sealed with

Artsorb between the disinfected original oldglass and Coroplast® (a polypropylene/polyethylene corrugated sheeting). Theperimeter edges were taped with 3MBookTape #845 to provide the seal.

The hat box panels had spacer mats made ofa single piece of 8-ply Colonial CreamAlpharag® ArtcareTM to separate the glazingfrom the surface of the panel. This spacermat was hidden beneath the lip of theframe. The panels were vapor-sealed in thesame fashion as the Sargent drawings withthe exception that the panels were tape-sealed between Acrylite OP2 and Coroplast.The original old glass was placed outsidethe sealed frame package to preserve theoriginal appearance. The acrylic glazing willprotect the colors from ultra-violet light andthe surface from breakage. It was notpossible to use an acrylic glazing on theunfixed Sargent drawings due to the staticelectric charge of the plastic.

THE SUCCESSOF ARTCARE™The reframed portraits by John SingerSargent and two reframed hatbox panelswill be on permanent display to coincidewith Naumkeag’s season opening onMemorial Day 2002. The ArtcareTM productswill enhance the longevity of these pricelessartifacts by protecting them fromenvironmental pollutants and inherentvices, making them available for the use andenjoyment of generations to come.

©2002 Nielsen & Bainbridge, LLCArtcare is a trademark of Artcare (UK) Limited, used under license by Nielsen & Bainbridge. BNAUCS702

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ARTCARE™ADVANTAGE:PROFILES INCONSERVATION

John Singer Sargent PortraitsPreserved with Artcare™

8-ply Ivory Alpharag® ArtcareTM matboardwas chosen for both Sargent portraits.

4-ply Ivory Alpharag® ArtcareTMwas usedfor backing.

8-ply Colonial Cream Alpharag Artcare wasused to separate the glazing from the surfaceof the hat box panels.

MATERIALS USED

The art of protecting your art.

1-800 -9ARTCAREwww.artcare.com

Hatbox panel

2 charcoal portraits by John Singer Sargent