Frame Installation
The proper installation of a painting into its frame is an important step in the conservation process. Unfortunately, many of the pieces that come into our lab have been installed using less than perfect techniques and materials. Some of these methods can actually cause damage to the painting!
Frame Restoration
Sometimes a frame can be as important as the painting it belongs to. Taking care of a frame is similar to maintaining a painting. As a frame ages, it will often experience structural deterioration due to environmental changes and mishandling. Separation between the ground layer and the wood substrate can lead to loosening of ornamental pieces, which can then be easily knocked off as the frame is handled or cleaned. Other times damage occurs by accident when the frame falls from a wall or is dropped.
Grime Cleaning
A darkened, yellowed layer of varnish is often what people notice first when looking at a painting that has been neglected over the years. It is also common for a painting to be covered in a superficial layer of household grime, dust, and possibly soot from years of being displayed or stored in a home. When a painting arrives at our lab, one of the first steps in our treatment process is to thoroughly vacuum the reverse, edges, and if necessary the face of the painting. The painting is then tested with a variety of solvents to determine which layers will be safe to remove to restore the artists original vision.
Welcome
Welcome. My name is Scott Jennings. For the past decade I have been an associate conservator at Anne Zanikos Art Conservation, a conservation lab with a 30 year history of serving San Antonio and the surrounding region. With the announcement of Anne’s retirement and the closing of her practice at the end of 2022, I’m excited to continue her legacy of expertise, prestigious customer service , and meticulous craftsmanship.