The secret face of artworks
Did you know that the stamps, inscriptions and labels we often find on the back of paintings reveal key aspects of the artworks? An example is Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot’s Interior of the Church at Mantes. These details, which are hidden to viewers, provide us with very valuable information. In addition, the reverse of a picture also tells us about how it was made, what condition it is in or whether it has undergone any conservation work. Information about the painting’s history may also appear such as its provenance, former owners or the exhibitions in which it has been shown over the years.
It is crucial to safeguard all this information in order to gain in-depth knowledge about the piece. Our work at the conservation department therefore also involves preserving the reverses of artworks to ensure their stability and prevent deterioration caused by external agents. The intrinsic properties of artworks are maintained and improved through the use of devices such as climate-control display cases that guarantee their physical stability and protect their original documentation.
