Reflections on My First Days at the Getty—And What’s Next
The J. Paul Getty Trust is an extraordinary arts institution. That I knew before coming to work at the Getty this week as its... Read More
Getty Conservation Institute (GCI)
Behind the scenes with conservation projects and staff, around the world and in the labs.
Conserving Lichtenstein’s “Three Brushstrokes”
A long lively stroke of deep brilliant blue, black, and white, a curved swipe of muted yellow, a short dab of red—perhaps you’ve seen... Read More
All Roads Lead to Rome
What brings a group of architects, conservators, engineers, geologists, scientists, and archaeologists from twenty countries and six continents to Rome? Rocks—or more accurately, stone.... Read More
From Green Umber to Azurite, Walnut Oil to Egyptian Sandstone, Reference Collection Helps Scientists Analyze Art Data
Art Kaplan is on a mission. At my request, he’s looking for a particular yellow pigment to show me—and there are hundreds of yellows... Read More
Werner Herzog, Jean Clottes, and the Origins of Art
I’ve long admired the films of Werner Herzog, so I was delighted to discover that his new film Cave of Forgotten Dreams, made in... Read More
Conserving Mosaics in the Field: Challenges and Rewards
Update: video of this lecture is available here. Amid the moon-like landscape of the Sinai, the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine has stood unfailing... Read More
Cambodia’s Enduring Mystery
The exhibition Gods of Angkor: Bronzes from the National Museum of Cambodia now on view at the Getty Center is a rare opportunity to... Read More
What Do You Mean, “Sustainability and Cultural Heritage”?
When I talk about the importance of sustainability and cultural heritage, most people nod their heads—we’ve all heard the word “sustainable” in terms of... Read More
Dürer’s Conserved “Adam” and “Eve” Unveiled at the Prado
Inside the process of conserving a Renaissance masterpiece.
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Ancient Greek Pottery Lends Its Secrets to Future Space Travel
Science connects future space travel with ancient ceramic pots.
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Photographic History Smells Oh So Sweet
I’m always amazed when science can provide a new glimpse into the life and works of an artist who lived long before my time. It... Read More
Inside the Getty Conservation Institute’s Modern and Contemporary Art Research Lab
I popped by the Getty Conservation Institute’s science labs this week to be met with a surprise: a large white Doug Wheeler painting (1964,... Read More