Conserving Michelangelo

Conserving Michelangelo

Watch a video showing the conservation of a Michelangelo drawing on loan from Christ Church Picture Gallery, Oxford, in preparation for the exhibition Michelangelo: Divine Draftsman and Designer. The Met’s paper conservator Marjorie Shelley takes us through the complex and delicate process of restoring this beautiful architectural drawing.

https://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2017/michelangelo

Featured Artwork:
Michelangelo Buonarroti (Italian, 1475–1564 ).
Designs for a monumental altar or facade, possibly for San Silvestro in Capite, Rome.
Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, black chalk, stylus ruling, and compass construction (recto), black chalk, some ruling in black chalk (verso).
By permission of the Governing Body of Christ Church, Oxford (0992; JBS 64)

Michelangelo: Divine Draftsman and Designer is on view at The Met Fifth Avenue from November 13, 2017, through February 12, 2018.

#MetMichelangelo

Director: Kate Farrell
Editor: Sarah Cowan
Producer: Melissa Bell
Camera: Wayne de la Roche, Sarah Cowan, Dia Felix
Lighting: Dia Felix
Production Coordinator: Kaelan Burkett
Production Assistants: Bryan Martin, Stephanie Wuertz
Original Music: Austin Fisher

© 2017 The Metropolitan Museum of Art

20 thoughts on “Conserving Michelangelo”

  1. Real talk, this is just a scrappy old piece of paper with scribbles on it. Like who cares? Why spend all this time restoring something so shitty?

    Reply
  2. Linen is flax.   I'm not sure what she's talking about when she says Linen and flax.    Linen comes from the flax plant.   But the rest of it is very interesting.

    Reply
  3. I'm glad to know that there are people out there that realize the historical importance of these classic works from great artists, and care enough to preserve that history. Thank you Ms. Shelley for the work you do

    Reply
  4. Marjorie Shelley also appears in the "Great Museums" video "An Acquiring Mind: Philippe DeMontebello and The Metropolitan Museum of Art". In that video she gives a more generalized overview of paper conservation. Absorbing, fascinating, and informative. The Met is very lucky to have a conservator of her talent and dedication.

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Kelly Andrews Cancel reply

fifteen − four =