Maritime paintings to be made shipshape for museum refurb
MAJESTIC: HMS Britannia, by John Ward
Some of Hull’s most treasured maritime paintings are to undergo conservation work to preserve them for future generations.
Twelve paintings depicting a variety of themes with important links to Hull's rich maritime history have been selected for the work following a survey of 400 paintings at the city’s Maritime Museum.
Works including two large oil paintings, Calm on the Humber (c1868) by Henry Redmore ,and HMS Britannia by John Ward (1847), will be removed from the museum’s main stairwell using specialist equipment.
The Conservation Department at the University of Lincoln, which will carry out the work, will transport the paintings to its laboratory, where they will receive specialist treatment to ensure they are shipshape and ready to go back on display within the refurbished museum.
Work will include surface cleaning, removal layers of dust, dirt and varnish using conservation grade materials, the repairing of extensive tears, and the filling in of losses to the paint layers.
Councillor Daren Hale, Hull City Council portfolio holder for economic investment, regeneration and planning, land and property, said: “Conserving maritime paintings requires real skill and expertise and without this TLC they are at risk of serious deterioration.
“Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the council, these paintings will be conserved and protect the future of these treasured artworks.”
Rhiannon Clarricoates, senior research fellow in conservation and heritage at the university’s School of History and Heritage, said: “The Lincoln conservation team is delighted to have been awarded this contract and to be given the opportunity to be involved in this wonderful project, particularly given our research interest in maritime heritage.
“It is thrilling to be involved in the wider regeneration of Hull, and we look forward to showcasing this project and our experiences with the people of Hull and to students across the region.”
Work is expected to start early next year.
The Hull Maritime project, funded by Hull City Council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, will see changes at the Grade II* Maritime Museum, Dock Office Chambers, the North End Shipyard, and two historic vessels, Arctic Corsair and Spurn Lightship.