Conservation of 19th Century Oil Painting

The National Army Museum (NAM) wishes to appoint a suitably qualified conservation company or individual conservator ('the conservator') to conserve a 19th century oil painting, details as below:

Title: 'Dawn of Waterloo'. The 'Reveille' in the bivouac of the Scots Greys on the morning of the battle, 1815 signed with initials and dated lower left '18 EB 95', by Lady Butler (Elizabeth Southerden Butler, née Thompson), 1895, exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1895.

Medium/support/size: Oil on canvas, 1264mm x 1962mm unframed, 1362m x 2063.5mm currently framed in plain gilded wooden slip (to be replaced at a later stage).

Condition overview: From examination, the painting appears to be in stable condition in both structural and aesthetic terms. A condition report has been recently completed with treatment recommendations and time estimates. This contract will involve undertaking the conservation of the painting (following discussion and approval of all treatments by the NAM); full documentation, including written reports and photographs, relating to the treatment of each object (sent to the NAM on completion of the project).

The Museum has had a condition report carried out and this is attached to this tender. Time scale and hours: This contract is for approx 228-335 hours work and subject to discussion with NAM can be carried out at NAM premises or offsite by the conservator. If offsite then a UKRG security supplement will be required. It is anticipated that the work would start by mid November 2022 and be completed by the mid March 2023 i.e. by the end of this financial year.

Tender submissions are requested from suitably qualified and experienced contractors. It is beneficial, though not essential, for the conservator to hold accredited status (PACR - Professional Accreditation of Conservator-Restorers).

Tenderers will need to need to ensure that they have insurance covering the total value of the objects and public liability to the value of £5,000,000

We will provide existing condition assessments, images and full descriptions of the objects.

The Museum recognises the need for potential tenderers to visit the site for an inspection and subject to staff availability, this can be arranged by appointment with the nominated person. Tenderers should complete their costs for the work on the attached Condition Report.