2col   Cozzarelli upper left

The detail of the upper left corner showing severe crack, Giacomo Cozzarelli (Italian, 1453–1515), “Madonna and Child,” circa 1475–1500, terra cotta and tempera, 27 by 24½ inches.

 

2col  Cozzarelli after treatment

Giacomo Cozzarelli (Italian, 1453–1515), “Madonna and Child,” circa 1475–1500, after treatment; terra cotta and tempera, 27 by 24½ inches.

MUST RUN 4-6

 ‘POST-CONSERVATION MADONNA AND CHILD’ RETURNS TO VIEWING AT HYDE COLLECTION w/1 cut

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GLENS FALLS, N.Y. — The Hyde Collection announces the “Madonna and Child,” circa 1475–1500, by Giacomo Cozzarelli (Italian, 1453–1515) has returned to the museum from Williamstown Art Conservation Center, Williamstown, Mass., after extensive conservation treatment.

“The conservation of this object is just one example of The Hyde Collection’s ongoing commitment to the care and long-term preservation of the works of art in the permanent collection,” said Erin B. Coe, Hyde curator.

The polychrome terra cotta relief sculpture was acquired by Louis and Charlotte Hyde in 1932 and is a significant object in The Hyde’s permanent collection. The goal of the conservation treatment was to improve the show surface of the sculpture and stabilize the many cracks and other structural damage to the ceramic and to the frame. Katherine Holbrow, conservator of objects, and Hugh Glover, conservator of furniture and wooden objects, completed the treatment of this work at the Williamstown Art Conservation Center.

The condition of the painted surface of the “Madonna and Child” was poor with flaking and fragmenting paint, extensive losses and visible layers of overpainting. Heavy oil and dirt darkened many of the areas of the relief, and spots of transparent varnish or resin saturated the terra cotta causing a darkening of the surface.

The flaking paint was consolidated and the layers of overpaint removed based on the results of the paint analysis. Any original paint that could not be confirmed as a modern addition was left intact.

Dirt, oil and the shellac were removed where possible from the bare terra cotta surfaces. In addition, selective in painting of areas of loss was completed, nail holes were filled, and the object was stabilized.

This extensive conservation treatment required that the sculpture be at Williamstown Art Conservation Center for 14 months. It is now on view in Hyde House once again.

The Hyde Collection is at 161 Warren Street. For information, 518-792-1761 or www.hydecollection.org.