What does the work need?
Conservation begins with what should be preserved and which changes actually call for intervention. Ageing is not automatically damage.
Art appraisals, estates, damage, conservation
Conservation and condition reports
A conservator’s view of surface, material, earlier interventions, damage patterns and sensible preservation measures.
Record condition and consider treatment
A condition record describes observations; conservation advice considers possible next steps. Treatment and scope are agreed only after the necessary examination and discussion.
When is the original needed?
Full views, the reverse and details may reveal evidence. Material condition, earlier interventions and risks cannot reliably be established from photographs alone.
Prepare for examination
Provide existing condition reports and information about earlier treatment, storage and intended use. Please do not clean or repair the work as preparation. Size, medium, condition, examination and documentation affect the work. The illustrated conservation process provides photographic evidence, without promising the same outcome for another work.
Relevant service packages
Conservation advice / condition record
- Who it is for
- Owners, collectors and institutions seeking to clarify condition, risks and suitable measures.
- Typical question
- What is damage, what is ageing, and what should be preserved, stabilised or treated?
- Output
- Condition record, proposed measures and an assessment of whether conservation is professionally or economically appropriate.
- Process
- Material and surface examination, documentation, assessment of measures and, where appropriate, treatment planning.
- Prepare
- Photos, dimensions, transportability, known earlier treatment and damage or storage history.
- Cost drivers
- Work size, condition, documentation depth and an on-site or studio appointment.
Insurance damage / condition documentation
- Who it is for
- Owners, insurers and parties involved in water, transport, fire or other damage.
- Typical question
- How can the damage be described professionally, what may be treated, and what loss in value may be relevant?
- Output
- Condition report, photographic documentation, damage description, treatment needs and specialist assessment.
- Process
- Stabilisation guidance, examination, photographs, description of findings and assessment of next steps.
- Prepare
- Damage date, photographs before and after, insurance records and transport or storage information.
- Cost drivers
- Urgency, site visit, documentation scope and valuation question.
Preparing your enquiry
Should a painting be restored before it is valued?
Condition and previous interventions can affect assessment. Clarify the purpose and condition before treatment. Do not clean or retouch a work yourself; appropriate treatment requires professional examination.
What does a condition report document?
A condition report records observable features and damage and may include photographs and areas needing further investigation. It is distinct from a valuation. Scope, purpose and possible conservation steps are agreed for the particular commission.
Dr. Mayme Neher · Düsseldorf
Would you like to briefly discuss your concern?
Call Dr Mayme Neher directly or send a few photographs with a short description.