Wqe QIommonfneaHq of ~a5sarqusetfs MASSACHUSETTS ART COMMISSION STATE HOUSE - ROOM 10 BOSTON, MA 02133 Tel: (617) 727-2607 Ext. 517 Fax: (617) 727-5400 Arlene E. Friedberg Chainnan Bonita A. Flood ANNUAL REPORT Paula M. Korol Peter L. Waish YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1995 Katherine B. Winter The Massachusetts Art Commission respectfully submits the Annual Report for the year ending June 30, 1995. The Art Commission is charged under General Laws ch. 6, sections 19 and 20 with the ·custody and care of the historic relics in the State House, and of all works of art." It is the responsibility of the Art Commission to-see that this museum quality collection is professionally handled, properly maintained, and appropriately displayed. The Commission receives annual appro­ priations for its programs of conservation and preservation of the State House art collection through the Bureau of State Office Buildings, while it remains a valuable resource for research and consultation on art-related matters. ART CONSERVATION PROGRAMS The conservation program was directed this year to works of sculpture. Two phases of care were implemented: primary care of commemorative plaques, and maintenance of all full size statues installed throughout the building and on the grounds. Interior plaques Fifteen plaques and bas-reliefs located on the first, second and third floors were slated for treatment. In addition to conditions normally found including grime build-up, discolored wax, paint spatters, and other aceretions, tests revealed that several plaques were originally two-tone in appearance, i.e. the raised surfaces of the plaque (such as inscription and decorative edging) were polished after the patination process to reveal the gold-colored, raw bronze beneath. Left untreated and uncoated, these areas eventually oxidized. Over time the dark tarnished areas also acquired a film of dust and dirt until they could no longer be distinguished from those patinated surfaces. With a uniform brown surface, the true appearance of these plaques, the Abraham Lincoln/Gettysburg Address, for example, had been erased from memory. After cleaning the entire plaque, conservators cleaned dirt and tarnish from the inscription and raised edges, and then coated all surfaces with Incralac, an acrylic coating which will retard future· tarnishing, and preserve the untreated bronze surfaces. Several plaques required stabilization after having become insecure in their mounts over the years. The six-foot tall John Ancrum Winslow bas-relief, in particular, was beginning to pull away from the wall. This and other plaques which presented a threat both to themselves and to the public, were re-secured in situ. MR 702M3 M41 1995 i f"ary f M hu c .1 State House/._ Boston / ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MASSACHUSETTS ART COMMISSION YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1995 Page 2 Interior sculpture maintenance Seven years have passed since the five full-size bronze and marble statues inside the State House received primary treatment in 1988 . Since that time, the building has undergone two phases of renovations, and visitor traffic has increased exponentially. Professional maintenance was therefore indicated somewhat earlier than the ten year schedule originally projected. Conservators removed dirt­ laden wax, spilled food and drink from bronze and marble surfaces, and floor wax and scuff-marks from bases. Repeated handling had already removed in some places the chemical patina applied during the previous treatment. These areas of exposed bronze were coated with a tinted acrylic coating to restore an original appearance, while not embrittling the metal through repeated heat-chemical processes. Exterior sculpture maintenance Annual maintenance was conducted by professional sculpture conservators on seven exterior bronze monuments in April. Each statue was ' inspected for damage to the metal surface and patina, cleaned, the acrylic "Incralac" coating repaired as necessary, and the entire bronze rewaxed in order to protect it from the elements during the coming year. Routine maintenance procedures such as these will preyent the recurrence of the corrosion process which causes irreparable damage and disfigurement to bronze monuments in an exterior environment, and save many thousands of dollars in repeat conservation efforts. The John F. Kennedy Memorial, for example, has been maintained annually since its installation in 1990, and appears today in nearly original condition. Annual preventive maintenance will help to preserve this statue for many years to come and preclude future costly conservation treatment. Other protective measures In an effort to further protect the art objects in the collection, the Art Commission has taken several measures to guard against damage and defray the effects of improper handling. The Army Nurses and Roger Wolcott/Spanish-American War memorials have now been permanently roped off as a reminder to the viewer not to handle or place any objects on the statues. Nine additional portraits were reframed under plexi-glass this year. The plexi glazing will protect freshly conserved paint surfaces from air-borne pollutants, including nicotine issue and cooking grease, as well as splashes and damage from foreign objects. We are of the hope that the slight disturbance this plexi-glass might cause the viewer will be offset by an understanding of the irreplaceable nature of the art collection and our further efforts toward long-term preservation. The State House continues to serve as a popular function and reception hall, providing an elegant and historic setting for diverse groups to meet. Sit down dinners for hundreds of people are held in the public corridors while receptions to accommodate upwards of several thousand people are now being arranged. Education in the proper care of the collection proves to be as important as ever. In order to safeguard the objects from mis-treatment by set-up personnel, caterers,-- and functions sponsors, the Art Commission issued guidelines detailing appropriate and acceptable set-up in areas displaying art works, and initiated the revision of the functions permit to address decorations, displays, food and drink preparation and service. Instruction and reminders for the proper treatment of and conduct around works of art are transmitted to scheduling, security, maintenance and other building personnel by such means as formal guidelines for care, memoranda, the Bureau of State Office Buildings' "Newsletter." Guidelines for proper display and care of art works were also revised and issued to all offices in which art from the collection is installed. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MASSACHUSETTS ART COMMISSION YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1995 Page 3 ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES New acquisitions Two objects were added to the collection during the fiscal year. The 26th Yankee Division plaque (1994.1) was unveiled in the east wing entrance to the State House, off Mt. Vernon Street, on August 27, 1994. The Yankee Division of Infantry, composed completely of troops from New England, was the first division to be deployed to Europe during World War II. This plaque, a gift to the Commonwealth from the Yankee Division Veterans Association, was unveiled 50 years to the day following their deployment. The Liberty Elm Tree plaque (1994.2) was dedicated September 26, 1994. This small bronze plaque marks the location of the "Liberty Elm" which was planted on the west lawn one year ago. The tree, is a pure American elm, has been developed to be resistant to Dutch Elm Disease. The American Elm is Massachusetts' state tree; members of the Elm Research Institute hope to re-establish the elm in towns across the Commonwealth through their tree planting program. The plaque was donated by Fleet . National Bank, Shawmut Charitable Foundation, and Massachusetts members of the Elm Research Institute. The Art Commission also reviewed and approved a bronze plaque honoring the contributions of citizens and corporations to the John F. Kennedy Memorial statue. The dedication of this donor recognition plaque on the west wing plaza has been postponed pending construction in that area. The Art Commission also reviewed proposals for several additional memorials of which it anticipates the dedication during FY'95. Research assistance and public infonnation The Art Commission office remains a resource for information and research on a variety of art related matters. The Art Collections Manager addressed inquiries relating to the State House collection and local art including research in historical, art historical and conservation fields from art and historical institutions, scholars, local authorities, in-house personnel and the general public. Requests for photographic reproductions of objects in the collection continue to arrive . This year, images fr<>m the collection appeared in such publications as Constitution Magazine, and Save Outdoor Sculpture: Guide to Conservation (National Institute for Conservation). Massachusetts' English roots were also recognized by British publishers including Andromeda Press and BBC Books. Images from the collection also appeared in exhibitions, including "Through Many Eyes: A Look at New Hampshire History," at the new Museum of New Hampshire History, "Seige at Louisbourg," at the Charlestown Navy Yard, and an exhibit mounted by the Secretary of State in Doric Hall commemorating the history of the State House. Electronic media also made prodigious use of the collection. Multiple images appeared in productions including "Under the Dome" (Massachusetts Corporation for Educational Research),