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THE CHIEF CONSERVATOR’S DIVISION
The National Museum in Krakow has been carrying conservation work since its foundation in 1879.
Museum reports from the end of the 19th century say: “The Managers of the Museum and Mr. Conservator wish to preserve and protect the historic items which are wholly neglected and can be easily destroyed to the detriment of science, if they are not saved by placing them in a Polish Museum and very skilfully conserved. (...) When saving paintings, the Managers advise to clean them well, to patch up minor damages, leave major damages untouched and to renovate the picture frames”.
The museum conservation principles pursued by our predecessors at the end of the 19th century are still duly followed for us.
Modern conservation methods used by the National Museum in Krakow involve the maximum number of treatments protecting and preventing the items from further damage, with minimum interference in its structure, including its original aesthetic qualities.
Such concept of museum conservation is in practice performed in two ways: on one hand, it involves conservation interventions such as removal of dirt, gluing the splits, patching the missing fragments, retouching work, and on the other hand – numerous prevention activities such as providing proper conditions for storage and presentation, permanent monitoring and documentation of the condition of exhibits and specialised transport.
Artwork conservation involves interdisciplinary approach, partnership and research and scientific examination of various aspects of work.
The above guidelines are implemented by the Chief Conservator’s Division composed of twelve conservation studios employing a team of 61 experienced specialists (32 conservators, 27 renovators, 1 physicist, 1 secretary).
The team conserves annually approximately 2.500 museum exhibits.
The present structure of the Main Conservation Division and its professional team guarantee full conservation and protection of all kinds of items stored and exhibited in the Museum.
Janusz Czop
Chief Conservator
Of the National Museum in Krakow
Contact: tel. +12 295 55 80
e-mail: janusz_czop@muz-nar.krakow.pl
CONSERVATION STUDIOS
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