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Home , Alexander Bullock, Artemas Ward, Benjamin Butler, Caleb Strong, Christopher Gore, Edward Everett

Wlyt OIammaufntaItly of ~a55atlyU5ttt5 ART COMMISSION STATE HOUSE - ROOM 10 , MA 02133 (617) 727-2ffJ7

A~lene E. Friedberg Chainnan

Bonita A. Flood ANNUAL REPORT Paula M. Kozol YEAR ENDING JUNE 30,1994 Peter L. Walsh Katherine B. Winter

The Massachusetts Art Commission respectfully submits the Annual Report for the year ending June 30, 1994. 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 tn responsibility of the Commission to see that this museum quality collection is professionally handled, ...... properly maintained, . and appropriately displayed. The Art Commission receives annual appropriations .... for its programs of conservation and preservation of the State House art collection, while it remains a eo resource for research and consultation on art-related matters. OJ~r­ _ • .... 0- ART CONSERVATION PROGRAMS eo 01 A. Portraits and frames. ::c~ Twelve portraits, including some of the oldest in the collection, and their frames, were slated to receive g 0 treatment this year. Four painting and three frame conservators were contracted to treat the portraits, ~ with most of the work taking place February - June, 1994. In addition to the portraits listed below, the ~ 17th-century image of Reverend John Wheelwright. and several 19th-century portraits, including those .... of Governors , Alexander Rice, John D. Long, and Lt. Governor Henry Childs were treated. The carved wooden and plaster composition frames were also stabilized, rebuilt or repaired, and regilded where necessary. Gift of Robert B. Severy. The Art Commission was honored to accept a generous donation from Robert Bayard Severy, of Weymouth, toward the treatment of the following paintings: Governor , in honor of his mother, Josephine McClintock Bellamy Severy. Governor Edward Winslow, in honor of his bother, Donald Phelps Severy. Governor , in honor of his sister-in-law, Mai Josephine Bermingham Severy. President , in honor of his sister, Arabella McClintock Severy Olander. Governor , in honor of Jessie Sargent, Doric Dame. Governor Henry Vane, (one-half treatment cost), in honor of Margaret Wright Haverty, Doric Dame. Governor , in honor of Martha Richardson, former State House Flag Project Coordinator. Mr. Severy's gift follows his sponsorship of the treatment of Governor John A. Andrew in memory of his father during FY'93. His overall contribution of $6,225 toward the Art Commission's programs was acknowledged during formal ceremonies June 10, 1994 in the Governor's Council Chamber during which Lt. Governor A. presented a Governor's Citation to Mr. Severy in recognition of his generosity.

On behalf of the Commonwealth we are most grateful to Mr. Severy for his continued support of the painting conservation program. We hope that his gift will inspire other admirers of the collection to contribute toward its preservation. MR 702M3 M4 1 1994 c .1 fltr<- 702fV\3 Ml{' 19Q'1 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MASSACHUSETTS ART COMMISSION c: \ YEAR ENDING JUNE 30,1994 Page 2

Protective measures. Over $150,000 has been spent in the care of just over half of the 117 portraits at the State House over the past seven years. (Please refer to the Appendix for a complete schedule of work.) As a additional safeguard, several of the older portraits were reframed under plexi-glass this year. We are of the hope that the slight disturbance this glazing might cause the viewer will be offset by an understanding of their irreplaceable nature and our further efforts toward long-term preservation.

B. Nurses Hall murals Conditions noted. In January 1994 the Art Commission awarded the long-awaited contract for the conservation of the wall murals in Nurses Hall (painted by Robert Reid 1901-1904), to the Williamstown Regional Art Conservation Laboratory, of Williamstown, Mass. During treatment, the project manager uncovered conditions which he believed might preclude successful cleaning these historic panels: solvent tests revealed glazes which were soluble in the agents necessary to remove the varnish coating. He concluded that the paintings could not be safely cleaned of the heavy, discolored varnish layer without damaging these thin washes of original paint.

Code of Ethics. American conservation ethics strictly mandate that the choice of materials and treatment procedures be guided by respect for the originality and integrity of any work of art. For the safety of the mural, the Art Commission adopted the most conservative approach for treatment and agreed to halt treatment after the grime removal phase.

Analysis. The Art Commission, however, recognizes the inappropriate appearance of the murals in their current state. Heavy, discolored varnish distorts the true colors of the murals, and severely impairs the effect of Reid's vivid brush work and powdery impressionistic palette. Contemporary descriptions of the murals paint a vivid image of the mid-winter and night-time scenes not evident today. Other conservation conditions were also identified which the Art Commission believes should be investigated. Further study planned. Seeking to understand artistic intent, original execution patterns, subsequent restoration activity, and hoping to identify alternative courses of action, further investigation by the Art Commission was planned. Conservators and art historians from around the country were scheduled to examine the murals at the end of June while the scaffolding was still in place. We were forced to cancel these contracts upon receiving instructions to dismantle the staging. The Art Commission, however, remains committed to further study of these murals in the hope that they may eventually be brought back to their original splendor. Reassembly of the staging for consultation activities is planned for the coming year.

C. Exterior sculpture maintenance

Annual maintenance was conducted by professional sculpture conservators on seven exterior bronze monuments in October 1993. 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 prevent 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. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MASSACHUSETTS ART COMMISSION YEAR ENDING JUNE 30,1994 Page 3

Vandalism. The Kennedy Memorial was, however, temporarily disfigured in June when vandals spray­ painted the front of the monument. Emergency removal of the paint and reformation of the coating was conducted by the Center for Conservation in order to prevent any permanent damage to the patina. Proper attention to vandalism and other ill affects plays an necessary role in the preservation of public monuments.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES A. Review of proposed acquisitions

No new objects were accessioned into the collection during the fiscal year. The Art Commission did, however, review proposals and specifications for several new memorials slated for installation during the coming year.

B. Research assistance and public information

The Art Commission office remains a resource for both in-house and non-governmental inquiries. The Art Collections Manager addressed over 80 inquiries relating to the State House collection and local art (including research in historical, art historical and conservation fields), and requests for photographic reproductions of objects in the collection. Images from the collection appeared this year in such publications as The History of the Constitution, an exhibition for Black History Month, and documentaries on the 26th Division, and the Women's Suffrage Movement.

As building visitation increases, education in the history and care of the collection proves to be as important as ever. 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," and talks to summer tour guides.

C. Staff

There have been no changes of members on the Art Commission over the past year. Susan Greendyke Lachevre continues to serve as Art Collections Manager, having concluded her tenth annual contract. Based upon the demonstrated need for an on-site caretaker of the collection, the Art Commission continues to lobby for the establishment of a permanent position.

All Art Commission members find it very rewarding to serve the Commonwealth in this capacity.

Respectfully submitted, ~~ Chairman 6~L - vuk.l·~ lL'~~r A~1k~

Portrait of Lt. Governor Henry Childs by Moses Wi9ht, c. 1849. Conservation treatment by Gianfranco Pocobene, Malden, Mass. MASSACHUSETTS ART COMMISSION SUMMARY OF ART CONSERVATION PROJECTS BY FISCAL YEAR

1985 COLLECTIONS SURVEYS Inventory of collection Photographic documentation Easel painting condition evaluation Sculpture condition evaluation Mural condition evaluation Historical survey

1986 SCULPTURE -- Funded by the Doric Dames, Inc., Bulfinch Restoration Foundation PUBLISHED Art in the Massachusetts State House, fully illustrated catalogue of the collection.

1987 EXTERIOR SCULPTURE

MURALS Memorial Hall: The Pilgrims on the Mayflower John Eliot Preaching to the Indians Battle at Concord Bridge Return of the Colors to the Custody of the Commonwealth Third floor: Marching Through (repair)

EXTERIOR SCULPTURE MAINTENANCE Daniel Webster Horace Mann

FLAG STORAGE PROJECT: development of archival grade storage system'and removal of 480 historic battle flags from Memorial Hall to vault, State House. SUMMARY OF CONSERVATION PROJECTS BY FISCAL YEAR - page 2

1988

APPRAISALS: Paintings, sculpture, frames

EASEL PAINTINGS FRAMES, from the portraits of: Francis Bernard Thomas Hutchinson William Burnet Richard Coote Thomas Hutchinson John Leverett William Shirley Charles Sumner Artemas Ward Emory Washburn

SCULPTURE

PORTRAIT BUSTS INfERIOR STATUES AND BASES Senate Chamber: George Boutwell Army Nurses Memorial William Francis Bartlett Marquis de Lafayette Roger Wolcott/Spanish War Memorial Abraham Lincoln Samuel Francis Smith Charles Sumner COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUES Gardiner Tufts George Washington Nelson A. Miles Second floor: Frederic Greenhalge Henry Cabot Lodge, Sr. Samuel Walker McCall William Russell George Washington Third floor:

EXTERIOR SCULPTURE MAINTENANCE Horace Mann Daniel Webster

FILM: "The Art of Saving History," documenting conservation projects 1986-1987 SUMMARY OF CONSERVATION PROJECTS BY FISCAL YEAR - page 3

1989

EASEL PAINTINGS FRAMES, from the portraits of: Jonathan Belcher Benjamin Butler Frederic Cook John Davis John Davis William Douglas William Douglas Eben Draper Eben Draper William Eustis George Robinson Spencer Phips George Robinson Samuel Shute William Washburn

MURAL Decoration of the Colors of the 104th Infantry

SCULPTURE George Washington Winged Victory (crating and storage) Anne Hutchinson - statue plaque

EXTERIOR SCULPTURE MAINTENANCE fall 1988: Mary Dyer Anne Hutchinson Henry Cabot Lodge Joseph Hooker spring 1989: Mary Dyer Anne Hutchinson Joseph Hooker Henry Cabot Lodge Horace Mann Daniel Webster

1990 SCULPTURE Beacon Hill Monument: bronze eagle - funded by the Division of Capital Planning and Operations

1991

Art Commission funding expropriated - no conservation conducted. SUMMARY OF CONSERVATION PROJECTS BY FISCAL YEAR - page 4

1992

EASEL PAINTINGS FRAMES, from the portraits of: Samuel Adams Oliver Ames Oliver Ames Edmund Andros J ames Bowdoin John Q. Brackett John Q. Brackett John Brooks John Clifford John Clifford Winthrop M. Crane Winthrop M. Crane Jospeh Dudley William Dummer Joseph B. Ely Joseph B. Ely Edward Everett Levi Lincoln, Jr. Levi Lincoln, Jr.

SCULPTURE COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUES PORTRAIT BUSTS Charles Duryea Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr. Hancock House marker Louis Brandeis John Winthrop/ Grand Army of the Republic Beacon Hill Monument English Hi&h School Norman Prince Curtis Guild Memorial Logan Memorial Congressional : World War I Congressional Medal of Honor: Spanish-American War

EXTERIOR SCULPTURE MAINTENANCE Mary Dyer Joseph Hooker Anne Hutchinson, plus plaque John F. Kennedy Henry Cabot Lodge Horace Mann Daniel Webster

1993

MURALS Veterans of the Sixth Regiment Memorial: Introduction and Record of Duty "Marching Through Baltimore" "Landing in Porto Rico" Record of Duty II SUMMARY OF CONSERVATION PROJECTS BY FISCAL YEAR - page 5

1993 - continued EASEL PAINTINGS FRAMES, from the portraits of: Nathaniel Banks John Andrew Nathaniel Banks George Briggs Simon Bradstreet George Boutwell George Briggs George Boutwell Henry Gardner Elbridge Gerry Christopher Gore Charles Hurley John Hancock Charles Hurley Marcus Morton James Sullivan Caleb Strong J ames Sullivan

John A. Andrew - treatment funded by Mr. Robert B. Severy, Weymouth, Mass.

DECORATIVE ARTS and ARTIFACTS Gasolier, Governor's Office

1994 EASEL PAINTINGS FRAMES, from the portraits of: Alexander Bullock Richard Bellingham Henry Childs Alexander Bullock John D. Long Henry Childs Alexander Rice John Endecott John Wheelwright Abraham Lincoln John D. Long Richard Bellingham * Alexander Rice John Endecott * John Wheelwright Abraham Lincoln * John Winthrop Henry Vane * Edward Winslow John Winthrop * Josiah Winslow Edward Winslow * Josiah Winslow *

(*) treatments funded by Mr. Robert Bayard Severy, Weymouth, Mass.

MURALS Nurses Hall (surface cleaning only): 's Ride John Hancock medallion James Otis Arguing Against the Writs of Assistance Samuel Adams medallion .'

SUMMARY OF CONSERVATION PROJECTS BY FISCAL YEAR - page 6

1994 - continued

EXTERIOR SCULPTURE MAINTENANCE Mary Dyer Joseph Hooker Anne Hutchinson, plus plaque John F. Kennedy (fall, spring) Henry Cabot Lodge Horace Mann Daniel Webster

TOTALS Total Number Total Treated

Paintings 120 63 Frames 120 52 Sculpture 42 33 Plaques 48 12 Murals 25 9, plus 5 partial treatment

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