Conservation

Soane stipulated that his house be left as it was when he died in 1837. As such it is a Regency time capsule and preserving it is a full-time job for the conservators and curators who work here. Over the past two hundred years some objects and interiors have been altered, and where possible we restore them to their original arrangement and appearance.

Our Conservation team ensures the Museum’s historic spaces and extensive and varied collections are protected and maintained. Works of art are conserved in-house in the John and Cynthia Fry Gunn Conservation Centre, as well as by external specialists.

The Museum has undergone a number of landmark conservation projects, notably Opening Up The Soane, and most recently, the restoration of the Drawing Office. With these projects large areas of the Museum have been returned to their original state, allowing visitors to explore areas of the Museum not accessible for over a hundred years.

Conservation is central to the work of the Museum, preserving our grade 1 listed buildings and collections so that they will be accessible for generations to come.

To find out more, explore what we do in detail below, or download this trail to enhance your experience of visiting the Museum.

Image (top) by Richard Pohle

Areas of work

Works of Art

Our diverse collections include stone sculpture, plaster casts, architectural models, stained glass, antiquities, metal work, ceramics, paintings and more. As well as looking after this wide range of objects day to day, we carry out treatments to individual works of art when required or as part of restoration projects.

Furniture

The furniture in Soane’s house is an interesting mixture of works designed by Soane, specially collected items and domestic Regency furniture. It’s probably more vulnerable to visitor damage than other genres of object and we also keep a sharp eye out for signs of woodworm.

Frames

As our collections have remained largely unaltered for nearly two centuries, our picture frames have remained much the same – apart from the accumulation of dirt and occasional damage to mouldings. When cleaning and repairing them, our aim is to preserve, wherever possible, any early finishes we find and retain all original details.

Works on Paper and Books

Soane amassed a huge collection of works on paper. Along with the ongoing programme of remedial conservation, involving the team, a consultant paper conservator and curators, we are replacing some of the more fragile works on display with facsimiles.

Paintings

Along with outstanding paintings by Hogarth, Canaletto and Turner, Soane also acquired works that related to themes in his collections, and others that were painted by his friends. The result is a highly idiosyncratic collection. Paintings are mostly in good condition but are regularly checked.

Care of Collections

With densely packed displays and labyrinthine spaces, day-to-day care of the Soane can be challenging. We are responsible for keeping the collections looking good, and we monitor and manage a wide range of risks including pests, light levels and environmental fluctuations.

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