Condition reporting and documentation are crucial for preserving art. These practices involve creating detailed records of an artwork's physical state, including written descriptions and high-quality photos. This information helps track changes over time and informs decisions about handling, storage, and conservation.
Accurate condition reports are essential for loans, insurance, and . They provide a baseline for comparison, support valuations, and help identify treatment needs. Standardized terminology and thorough ensure clear communication about an artwork's condition across institutions and over time.
Condition Reports for Art Objects
Purpose and Components
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Top images from around the web for Purpose and Components
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A is a detailed written and photographic record that documents the physical state of an art object at a specific point in time
The main purposes of a condition report are to:
Provide an accurate baseline record for future comparison
Inform decisions about handling, storage, exhibition and transit
Support insurance and indemnity valuations
Identify any conservation needs
Key components of a condition report include:
information
Detailed visual description
Diagrams indicating locations of damage, loss, or previous repairs
Description of materials (oil paint on canvas, cast bronze) and techniques (lost-wax casting, chasing and patination)
Measurements
Recommendations for care or treatment if needed
Condition reports should be objective, unambiguous, and use precise standardized terminology to ensure clarity and consistency over time and between different report writers
Standardized Terminology and Descriptions
Use clear, concise language and avoid subjective or ambiguous terms when describing the condition of an object
Phrases like "good condition" or "some wear" are not sufficiently precise
Accurately identify and describe materials and techniques
Examples of materials: oil paint on canvas, cast bronze, carved marble
Examples of techniques: lost-wax casting, chasing and patination, additive sculpting
Note any changes to the original materials, such as paint losses, , oxidation, or corrosion
Specify the location, extent and severity of any damage
Distinguish between different types of surface changes, such as scratches, abrasion, flaking, or accretions
Use standardized terms like spalling, crazing, blanching, or delamination where appropriate
Record any evidence of previous , repair, or conservation treatment
Note the materials used and assess the condition and stability of repairs
Describe physical changes like warping, buckling, or dimensional changes in supports and substrates
Note if changes appear to be active and progressive
Include any changes to the original mounting or framing materials that are integral to the artwork
Assess if hardware is sound and functioning properly
Photographic Documentation in Condition Reporting
Visual Records and Monitoring
Photographs provide essential visual documentation to supplement written condition reports
They record the appearance of an object at a fixed point in time
Photos should be high resolution, properly lit, color balanced, and include scale references
Both overall and detail shots are necessary to thoroughly document condition
Photographs allow very precise comparison of an object's condition over time to track any changes, deterioration or damage
They are key in monitoring long-term preservation
Including photos from multiple angles and magnified details provides a more complete and accurate record than written description alone
Photos record details that may be inadvertently omitted from written reports
Insurance, Indemnity and Visual Communication
Photographic documentation is required for insurance and as a definitive record of an object's state prior to loan or shipment
Photos would be essential evidence in the case of any damage claims
Photos are used to visually communicate an object's condition and treatment needs to conservators, curators, or other collections staff who cannot directly examine the artwork
Condition Reports for Loans, Insurance, and Conservation
Loans and Indemnity
Condition reports are required for between institutions to record the exact state of an object before and after shipping and handling
The borrower is responsible for noting and reporting any changes in condition
Reports made prior to a loan serve as a baseline record of an object's state while in the owner's custody
Damage or changes in condition upon return may indicate mishandling or improper packing/environment during transit
Insurance companies require condition reports as documentation of an object's physical state and to support the declared value
The report would be key evidence in any damage claim made against the policy
Government indemnity programs require condition reports for objects requested for indemnity to confirm that the objects are in a stable state suitable for loan
Indemnity may be denied for objects deemed too fragile for travel based on the condition report
Conservation Planning and Documentation
Condition reports are used to determine and prioritize conservation treatment needs
Changes in condition noted over time may signal the need for intervention to address progressive deterioration
Conservators use condition reports to plan treatments and accurately document the object's state before and after conservation
Reports are essential for recording all materials added or altered during treatment