Shepherd Conservation

Shepherd Masters

Shepherd Conservation has an enviable reputation for our work on a wide range of Old Master paintings from trecento gold-grounds, to modern art of the early 20th Century.

We are fortunate that many of our projects have found homes in major national collections both here in the UK and abroad.

  • We are members of the vetting committees for TEFAF Maastricht, Frieze Masters
  • We advise major national and international collections on potential acquisitions
  • We advise clients on all aspects of collections care
  • We provide detailed reports on behalf of clients including the UK’s Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest
  • Our conservators are trained to postgraduate level and are accredited through The Institute of Conservation (ICON). Simon Howell and Tom Caley are also Fellows of the British Association of Paintings Conservator - Restorers (BAPCR)
  • As accredited members (ACR’s) of ICON we support and follow their code of ethics
  • Confidentiality and discretion lies at the heart of our business ethics
  • Members of the studio have a wide knowledge base, are able to work on a broad range of paintings and offer advise on issues of conservation care, restoration and technical services
  • Our links with a network of other professionals, such as scientists, gilders, framers and cabinet makers provides us with an additional pool of skills, should these be required
  • The design of our studio enables us to undertake large-scale paintings

Services

(Please click on the services to find out more)

Conservation and Restoration of Paintings

We are noted for our measured approach to cleaning, removal of overpaint and restoration. We seek to tailor our treatments to achieve a sensitive interpretation of each individual work, by taking due notice of its period and school.

Typical treatments include cleaning, varnish removal, consolidation, removal of overpaint, filling, texturing, and retouching.

Structural Treatment of Paintings on Canvas and Panel

Canvas tear repairs, strip-lining, loose linings, inserts. Canvas linings may be subcontracted to experienced specialists.

Minor repairs to paintings on panel are undertaken in-house. Microclimates can be designed for delicate/fragile panels.

Extensive panel work is subcontracted to panel conservation specialists.

 

Technical Services

High-resolution digital colour photography and macrophotography may be undertaken during treatments for documentation.

Professional photographic services are referred to specialists and can take place at our studio.

Ultraviolet Photography, Infrared Photography and X-radiography are undertaken in our studio

Scientific Analysis of pigments and media may be carried out in-house or referred to specialists for in-depth analysis.

Consultancy: Condition & Treatment Reports

Condition reports are provided for works to be treated, artworks going on loan for exhibition, indemnity and insurance purposes. Reports are carried out for buyers nationally and internationally who require expert advice on works of art prior to sale or purchase and for the monitoring of collections. Written and photographic reports can be produced on request. In-depth reports including technical and scientific analysis can be provided as an aid for authentication and attribution.

Treatment reports are provided upon examination of the artwork and in consultation with the client.

Collection Surveys

Surveys of collections can be undertaken with written and photographic documentation and recommendations given for treatments should this be required.

Advice on the care of collections can also be provided, and include handling, hanging, lighting, transport and environmental monitoring.

Frame Conservation

Minor repairs to frames and reframing artworks may be undertaken in house.

Backboards, microclimates within existing frames, recommendations for new frames and hanging. We refer to frame experts for frame modifications, gilding, moldings, carving etc. and structural treatments.

Collection Care

To find out more about our Collection Care please visit this page