Five historic paintings at the Mineral Water Hospital in Bath are being given some TLC before they are transferred to the new RNHRD and Brownsword Therapies Centre at the RUH.
In a delicate and careful operation, specialist artwork removers have lifted them from the walls ready for expert conservation and restoration over the next few months.
One is the RUH Trust’s best-known and most treasured painting of Dr Oliver and Mr Pierce by the artist W.T. Hoare.
The conservation treatment involves cleaning the oil paint and canvas, repairing the frames and fitting them with a museum grade UV acrylic glazing.
The glazing will protect them from UV light and pollutants allowing them to be installed in the new RNHRD and Brownsword Therapies Centre in late September.
The restoration and added protection mean that patients, visitors and staff can continue to experience and enjoy the rich cultural heritage of Bath’s medical past.
Hetty Dupays, RUH Art and Design Manager, said: “It’s always nerve-wracking to see such valuable and treasured paintings being handled, but our experts removers did a great job.
“The five paintings are hugely important historically and aesthetically. It’s wonderful that they will be restored, conserved and improved and given a new home at our new therapies centre.”
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2MpOldx.
