Why I Chose Conservation
My interest in conservation began when I discovered Baumgartner Restoration on YouTube. I had always had an interest in art and painting, but this discovery meant that I could combine my interests of art and history. I found it fascinating that I would be able to take an object and look at its history, and from there determine the best way forward into the object’s future.
Career Aspirations
For me, a career in conservation would first begin with completing a masters so that I would be able to become a paintings conservator. I would then wish to work in the National Portrait Gallery, London. I had visited there when I was younger among other galleries, but the National Portrait Gallery stood out to me as it showed the faces of history throughout time. It not only inspired my career, but my passions as well as I began to learn how to paint portraits myself.
Best University Experience
One of the most interesting, yet challenging objects that I have worked on is an archaeological buckle, made of bronze. It was discovered in Scremby, Lincolnshire. The object had begun to turn green due to bronze disease, a green powdery substance that appears on the surface of bronze objects that have been buried and excavated.
Photo of Archaeological Belt Buckle.
Treatment was a challenge as bronze disease makes the surface of the object very delicate, and if it is left untreated it can eventually turn the entire object into dust. I had treated the object with cleaning, and recommended storage conditions.
Green corrosion on surface of D-shaped buckle with small area of original surface visible at 40Xmagnification
Rachels Exhibition Object
Click on the object to learn more about its treatment.
