Conservation of Oil Paintings

The National Army Museum (NAM) wishes to appoint a conservation company or individual conservator (‘the conservator’) to conserve six oil paintings in preparation for their display in the museum in Autumn 2016.

Expressions of interest in this work are requested from suitably qualified and experienced contractors by 4 September. It is beneficial, though not essential, for the conservator to hold accredited status (PACR - Professional Accreditation of Conservator-Restorers).

To inform this tender process, the objects have had initial condition assessments and treatment recommendations. These reports give a picture of the extent of the treatment required. Tenders may be made based on based on these assessments, their recommendations and the associated photographs of the objects themselves (to be included with the complete tender documents following expressions of interest). Alternatively or in addition to this information the objects may be viewed in-situ at the NAM store in Stevenage, Hertfordshire by prior appointment.

Summary of condition assessments:

➢ The extent of treatment thought to be required is measured by three criteria: Low, moderate and extensive. Of the six objects described here all were thought to require a moderate level of treatment.

➢ The total time required to conserve the group of six objects was estimated to be 290-350 hours.

The conservator will be responsible for:

1.) The conservation of the objects (following discussion and approval of all treatments by the NAM).

2.) Full documentation - written report and photographs - relating to the treatment of each object (sent to the NAM on completion of the project).

3.) Packing for transport back to the store using materials provided by the NAM.

These paintings will need to be conserved off-site at the appointed conservator’s studio.

To minimise transport costs incurred by NAM, all six paintings would be transported in one load.