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The charwomen in the National Gallery. A cartoon about the conservation controversy at
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The charwomen in the National Gallery. A cartoon about the conservation controversy at
The charwomen in the National Gallery. A cartoon about the conservation controversy at the National Gallery, after nine paintings were cleaned in the autumn of 1852, and a Select Committee was appointed in 1853 to look into the management of the Gallery, as especially connected with picture cleaning. Date: 1853
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1850s 1852 1853 Cleaning Conservation Controversial Controversy Gallery Mar21 Paintings Restoration Satire Satirical Scrubbing Charwoman
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In the heart of the 1850s art world, a lively cartoon captures the controversy surrounding the conservation of nine paintings at the National Gallery in London. The charwomen, depicted in this humorous illustration, were at the center of the storm. In the autumn of 1852, these dedicated yet unsuspecting women were tasked with the cleaning of the priceless artworks. However, their methods, which included the use of abrasive materials and excessive scrubbing, raised concerns among the art community. The Select Committee was appointed in 1853 to investigate the management of the National Gallery, with a particular focus on picture cleaning. The charwomen, portrayed in this cartoon as bumbling and uneducated, were a common target of satire during this period. Their heavy-handed approach to cleaning the paintings was seen as damaging the delicate artworks, and their lack of expertise added fuel to the controversy. The cartoonist captures the essence of the situation with a clever play on words. The charwomen are shown "restoring" the paintings, with one woman scrubbing away at a painting while another holds up a sign that reads "Before and After." The irony lies in the fact that their actions were actually causing more harm than good. The cartoon serves as a reminder of the importance of proper conservation techniques and the need for specialized knowledge in the preservation of art. Despite the good intentions of the charwomen, their methods were a wake-up call for the art world. The controversy led to a reevaluation of the National Gallery's cleaning practices and the implementation of more effective and less damaging methods. This cartoon, with its satirical take on the situation, provides a fascinating glimpse into the art world of the 1850s and the ongoing debate surrounding the conservation of priceless paintings.
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