Art Conservation

When practicing conservation, the goal is to preserve the piece in its present state, while stabilizing the materials. This means adding no new material to the artwork.

In this bronze piece by Rodin entitled Adam a study the doorway The Gates of Hell, years of outdoor exposure took a toll on the finish. The curator of the Nelson-Atkins wanted a pure conservation of Adam — and a low noise level — so conservators removed the build-up of unstable products of corrosion with mechanical erasers.

Although this technique proved to be tedious, Adam was successfully rejuvenated.

Rodin's Adam during conservation

Prior to conservation treatment



Following treatment

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