The Fine Arts Conservancy

On the moon or your front door, the flag is a living symbol of our country.

Did you know Old Glory can be displayed at night as long as it is illuminated?  The light can be ambient, from your front porch, or a bright streetlight. 

The flag should not be flown in the rain, snow, or wind unless it is made from an all-weather material. 

It can never touch the ground, floor, water, or merchandise:  It should never touch anything beneath it. 

The flag should be flown with the union (the blue field of stars) in the uppermost and the flag’s own right corner. 

Never use the flag for clothing, bedding, or drapery.  No lettering, insignia or marks can be drawn on it. 

When the flag is too worn, faded, or torn to serve as a symbol of our country, it must be destroyed in a dignified manner.  American Legions across the country will properly retire it, and there are designated flag retirement boxes at public libraries. 

 Happy Fourth of July:  America 250!

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5 days ago | [YT] | 0

The Fine Arts Conservancy

How do you portray the first president of the new republic?

Gilbert Stuart’s full-length portrait of George Washington does more than capture a likeness; it defines our collective vision of the American spirit. As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, we find ourselves looking more closely at the symbols that first bound the thirteen colonies together.

In the late 18th century, there was no blueprint for portraying the leader of the first republic. Stuart’s genius lay in his ability to collaborate with his subject. He listened to Washington’s own vision of himself—a man who needed to appear modest enough to be a citizen yet possessed of the moral gravitas required to lead. Washington was profoundly aware that he was in a unique position as the leader of the first and only modern republic and had carefully planned his image, shaping the public figure he wanted to be.

Through what art historian Paul Staiti calls a "Presidential Imaginary," Stuart created a visual image that felt profoundly real: a Chief of State defined by unpretentious dignity rather than royal excess.

Stuart painted three basic types of portraits of Washington: bust length showing the president from the right and a later version from the left; and the third type, the president is standing in an interior, presenting Washington, the first president of the new republic, to the world. Stuart painted over 100 copies because the demand was so strong from other statesmen and wealthy patrons for President Washington.

We restored one of the period copies of the full-length portrait.

Illustration 1: Before Restoration - detail of the face with paint losses.
Illustration 2: After Restoration - the image has been integrated.
Illustration 3: During Restoration - the paint layer is protected with Japanese tissue when turned over to work on the reverse.

We invite you to celebrate the craftsmanship that keeps our history vibrant and is part of the fabric of America 250.

As we stop to think about what is ahead of us, we are your partner for preserving your treasures for your next generation; your heritage. To schedule a private consultation with our conservation team, please send us a note to lab@art-conservation.org or call 561.684.6133. Can’t wait to see what you have!

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6 days ago | [YT] | 0

The Fine Arts Conservancy

Celebrating America 250! The Story of the Iwo Jima Memorial - Marines Raising our Flag. Memorial Day is a time to remember and say thank you!


Every Memorial Day I am reminded of the time I spent with Flex de Welden, the sculptor of the Iwo Jima Memorial, The United States Marine Corps War Memorial.
My visit with the internationally renowned sculptor, Felix de Weldon in Newport, Rhode Island, where he lived and had his studio many years ago; it comes to mind as Memorial Day approaches. Felix de Weldon’s sculpture of marines raising our flag on Iwo Jima after the United States took control of the island would become one of the most iconic images of symbol of freedom and those who fought to preserve and guard it. The sculpture sits on the edge of Arlington National Cemetery: dominating the skyline. The image captures one of the defining moments of World War II. The statue is the largest bronze statue in the world at 78 feet tall and weighing 100 tons. The figures are armed with either a 16-foot-long M-1 Garand rifle or a 12-foot-long M-1 carbine. Their combat knives are 5½ feet long and their helmets are 3½ feet in diameter. The statue rests on a 700-ton concrete base surrounded by 389 tons of highly polished Bonaccord black granite from Sweden.

Joseph Rosenthal, a military photographer during the war, was on assignment on Iwo Jima when a platoon of 40 men finally secured Mount Suribachi one of the Japanese strongholds. Rosenthal learned that the American flag was to be raised in victory but arrived too late. He noticed that a second flag was being raised – it was this scene that he captured. Six Marines and one Navy corpsman hoisting the flag and planting it into the rocky volcanic ground on February 23, 1945. This photograph was used on the front page of every major newspaper in America and in the windows of retail establishments – every American soon knew the image.

Felix de Weldon was inspired by Rosenthal’s photograph and made a model of the scene while he was serving in the U.S. Navy. The model, carved in limestone standing nine feet tall, is now at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia. He was commissioned by the U.S. Congress in 1951 to create a bronze sculpture of his model, faithful to Rosenthal’s photograph. It was dedicated on November 10, 1954 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower at Arlington Cemetery where it still stands. The sculpture is the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial dedicated to "the Marine dead of all wars and their comrades of other services who fell fighting beside them."
It has often been questioned how Iwo Jima; 12 square miles of remote island could be so important. It is one of a chain of small islands which were necessary to establish air bases close enough to the Japanese mainland that Japan could be reached by airstrikes. It was from these islands that “Fat Boy” and “Little Boy” (the first nuclear bombs ever used in combat) were launched against Japan with such devastating effect that they essentially ended the war. Japan sued for peace within days averting other planned attacks which would have killed more untold thousands.
President John F. Kennedy issued a proclamation on June 12, 1961 that the American flag should fly over the memorial 24 hours a day, one of the few official sites where this is required.

Three of the six flag raisers died on Iwo Jima. Three others posed for de Welden while he was creating the sculpture. However, John Bradley, who posed for de Welden, was thought to be one of the three, but after extensive research by the Pentagon, it was discovered that Bradley was one of the flag raisers of the first flag raising and not the second one which was Rosenthal’s photograph. The six flag raisers were: Corporal Harlon Block, Corporal Harold Keller, Private First-Class Ira Hayes, Private First-Class Harold Schultz, Private First Class Franklin Sousley, and Sergeant Michael Strank.

During a career that spanned more than 70 years, De Weldon created more than 1,200 public monuments on seven continents, including a monument of Adm. Richard E. Byrd at McMurdo Sound in Antarctica. de Weldon is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, not far from his famous sculpture that is now one of the greatest symbols of defending freedom.

On Memorial Day we honor the fallen that gave their lives while serving in the United States Armed Forces. In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday. So, it is on this day to contemplate the sacrifices made and the extraordinary talent of Felix de Weldon who realized the flag raising in an enduring material, bronze, that underscores the significance of the moment. I will always treasure the memory of the day I spent with him.


Gordon Lewis, The Fine Arts Conservancy.


#memorialday #americanflag #usmarines #warmemorial #thefineartsconservancy #arthistory #freedom #felixdeweldon #josephrosenthal

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1 month ago | [YT] | 0

The Fine Arts Conservancy

Happy Mother’s Day!

Mary Stevens Cassatt (American 1844-1926) excelled at capturing the tender bond between a mother and child in her body of work; illustrating the feelings of love and protectiveness a mother has toward her child. The adoring look between the mother and child is beautifully conveyed; an innocence and the child’s certainty of being kept safe. Mother and child is a recurring theme in the history of art. Cassatt’s treatment of the maternal bond was avant-garde as she chose peasant women and their children for subjects instead of upper-class women who had nursemaids tending to their children. Cassatt captured intimate moments as the mother and child gaze at each other.

The paper was sliced from the broken glass used in framing. Painstakingly the paper was returned to its natural alignment and the lost powder of the pastel chalk was replaced.
#thefineartsconservancy #paintingrestoration #mothersday #MaryStevensCassatt

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1 month ago | [YT] | 0

The Fine Arts Conservancy

The Kentucky Derby is this weekend, a gathering of magnificent horses!
Sir Alfred Munnings (1878-1959), 20th Century British artist with an impressionistic style is remembered for capturing the beauty of horses at racetracks and in the English countryside.


In early 20th century England, gypsies found work at the racetracks and Munnings was attracted to their carefree spirit. Shrimp, one of the gypsies, became Munnings favorite model. The paintings with Shrimp and horses are some of his most desirable.

In this painting of Shrimp leading horses across a stream, the varnish layer had turned yellow with age dulling the colors but once it was removed the vibrant colors Munnings used to define the horse and the overall painting came alive again. The veil of varnish yellowed with time obscures the nuances of color an artist uses which adds to the depth of a painting. Applying the paint onto the canvas quickly and with confidence, Munnings was skilled at using an economy of brush strokes to create his paintings, excelling at the characteristics of an impressionistic style.
He had a deep love for horses, and it is exemplified in his paintings.
Some of the most magnificent horses will be running for the roses at the Kentucky Derby, good luck to all!

For more information on the Kentucky Derby visit: www.kentuckyderby.com
For more information on painting restoration visit: www.art-conservation.org
#kentuckyderby #churchilldowns #artrestoration #thefineartsconservancy #siralfredmunnings #20thcenturyengland #impressionistart #horsepainting #paintingrestoration

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2 months ago | [YT] | 0

The Fine Arts Conservancy

The prestigious Triple Crown begins this Saturday with the 152nd Kentucky Derby. Inseparable from the Derby is the Mint Julep. This recipe is from the classic Gracious Goodness The Taste of Memphis cookbook. A Truly Southern Mint Julep Recipe! A tradition as rich as the race itself, this cocktail is your ticket to tasting history with the smooth sophistication of Woodford Reserve bourbon. Raise your silver cups to a century and a half of racing excellence! Let us know how you like it and may your horse win the race! #KentuckyDerby #MintJulepRecipe #WoodfordReserve #TrippleCrown #TheFineArtsConservancy

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2 months ago | [YT] | 0

The Fine Arts Conservancy

How do you portray the first president of the new republic?
Gilbert Stuart’s full-length portrait of George Washington does more than capture a likeness; it defines our collective vision of the American spirit. As we approach America 250, the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, we find ourselves looking closer at the symbols that first bound the thirteen colonies together.
In the late 18th century, there was no blueprint for how to portray the leader of the first republic. Stuart’s genius lay in his ability to collaborate with his subject. He listened to Washington’s own vision of himself—a man who needed to appear modest enough to be a citizen, yet possessed of the moral gravitas required to lead. Washington was profoundly aware that he was in a unique position as the leader of the first and only modern republic and had carefully planned his image, shaping the public figure he wanted to be.
Through what art historian Paul Staiti calls a "Presidential Imaginary," Stuart created a visual image that felt profoundly real: a Chief of State defined by unpretentious dignity rather than royal excess.
Stuart painted three basic types of portraits of Washington: bust length showing the president from the right and a later version from the left; and the third type the president is standing in an interior presenting the Washington to the world. Stuart painted over 100 copies because the demand was so high for the portraits from other statesman and wealthy patrons.
We restored one of the period copies of the full length portrait (see before and after restoration images).
This President’s Day, we invite you to celebrate the craftsmanship that keeps our history vibrant.
P.S. There is no better time to ensure your important works are preserved for the next generation. To schedule a private consultation with our conservation team please send us a note to lab@art-conservation.org or call 561.684.6133.
Can’t wait to see what you have!

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3 months ago | [YT] | 0

The Fine Arts Conservancy

Wishing you and those dear to you a joyous holiday season. Merry Christmas !!

6 months ago | [YT] | 0

The Fine Arts Conservancy

Let the Holidays Begin...Cousin Reginald Catches the Thanksgiving Turkey! Happy Thanksgiving from The Fine Arts Conservancy!
#normanrockwell #HappyThanksgiving2024 #fineartsconservancy

7 months ago | [YT] | 0