Removing a century of treatments on Rousseau's Sleeping Gypsy | CONSERVATION STORIES

One of MoMA’s most iconic paintings went missing for decades before it was first hung on the Museum’s walls in 1939.
When he completed "The Sleeping Gypsy" in 1897, Henri Rousseau offered to sell the painting to his hometown of Laval, 200 miles southwest of Paris. The offer was declined. It was not until 1924, 14 years after the artist’s death, that the work was rediscovered in a charcoal merchant’s shop in Paris-a less than ideal place to store an oil painting. By the time MoMA acquired it in the 1930s, art dealers and previous owners had cleaned, repaired, and varnished the canvas.
Rousseau’s "Sleeping Gypsy" came to the conservation studio for inspection when the Museum closed its doors to prepare for its 2019 reopening. It had been on view, nearly continually, for 80 years.
During the first major treatment of "The Sleeping Gypsy" in decades, paintings conservator Michael Duffy assumed the varied roles of detective, scientist, and artist. He scoured the archives for records of past treatments, X-rayed the painting for the first time to uncover unexpected compositions hidden beneath the surface, and removed nearly a century’s worth of discolored varnish layers to reveal Rousseau’s original colors.
“It’s a magical environment you could picture yourself in,” Michael ruminated when asked about his months spent working on the storied painting. “As long as you’re not afraid of large animals coming up in the night.”
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The comments and opinions expressed in this video are those of the speaker alone, and do not represent the views of The Museum of Modern Art, its personnel, or any artist.
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[@TheClari25]

Any other Baumgartner fans get this in their recommendations?

[@sophiewillson-quayle1683]

having watched baumgartner restoration is making me question every one of these methods even though I know nothing about restoring paintings

[@TheFiown]

I live next to Rousseau's birth town, we have some schools named after him. You really have to see his paintings in real life to aprpeciate them, the depth of colour and his use of paint is amazing. When I was Young I used to think of them as sort of posters until one day I saw one and everything changed.

[@trappaskunk]

It's crazy to think that a painting that was hanging almost forgotten for 30 years in a warehouse has come to be a benchmark of Western Art.

[@Lynwood_Jackson]

I'm sure that Henri Rousseau would be very proud of how you're treating his art, especially this many years later.

[@amandar3172]

he's right about it looking different in the galleries :/ can definitely see the difference in the blue color at 9:18

[@jmpsthrufyre]

One of my all time favorite paintings, and that seems modern and bold for 1897. I forgot it was that old.

[@robertag.molina4824]

As an art student, my teacher always makes conscience of the importance of how to properly make the painting panels, the gesso grounds, and also knowing which materials would be used for the better preservation and conservation of the artwork for the future generations. Watching this makes me appreciate the importance of research and patience that a conservator engages to revive a piece of artwork. Great work! 👏❤️

[@murraykriner9425]

Fascinating piece that I've long loved and held dear over many decades now. Glad it received the proper care it truly deserved after all these many years. Thank You.

[@rhijulbec1]

A question, if I may. Are restorers generally also artists? As in you'll sit and do your own paintings? I've wondered this for years. An answer would be most appreciated. Thank you.

[@SB-ll1tt]

I don’t enjoy his art but I appreciate the effort these people have put into conserving the painting. Truly commendable.

[@lynnblack6493]

What a difference w/o varnish. Grand picture for sure.

[@TheFiown]

I used to live in his birth town for a few years. I never liked his paintings really, found them very two dimensional THEN I saw one in the 'flesh' and it was incredible, what power of paint !

[@tomvalveede6808]

Thank you too the talented people who are able to conserve works of art for the enjoyment of future generations. A Beautiful and Wonderful Achievement! ♥️♥️♥️

[@vozamaraktv-art5595]

This is a magical painting, my favourite Henri Rousseau Painting! It's so dreamy and refreshing to look.

[@victoriamilonas1942]

Rousseau was my intro to "outsider" art and still my all-time favorite. Saw the lamb's face on the lion and his amazing mane in a whole new way this time.

[@whatzittooya9012]

Conservator: "I'm removing the varnish with a tissue and solvents to gently remove it without rubbing the surface more than necessary..." Me eating chips at 3 AM: "Pfft, amateurs. Just cover the thing in washikozo, put it on the hot table a couple times, and then color-by-number with the solvent and a brush."

[@lastdays9163]

Wow, incredible. I love Rousseau and this behind the scenes look at restoration of a masterpiece was enthralling and gave a deeper look into the work. Also, great edit and interviews.

[@hb5077]

I read a book 8 years ago when I was 15 with this painting as a cover and I always found it fascinating but couldn't resource the artist or the name of the painting. Thank you so much for your hard work!

[@kimberleebrackley2793]

Beautiful. Thank you for polishing this exquisite gem

[@RealHogweed]

*casually having many De Chirico in the background*

[@a_kleo]

one of the best Rousseau's paintings

[@s4b1n33]

I've seen this in so many other MoMA videos in the background and I'm so happy you guys finally finished it!

[@fromeveryting29]

These guys are doctors. Learning about previous "treatments", taking x-rays to be able to treat it and make it the best it can be again.

[@islandhorsetaker]

One of my favorite paintings ever! I fell in love with it the moment I saw it in MoMa. It was lovely to see it's conservation.

[@Billart]

My earliest memory at MoMA continues - now so many decades later with his Sleeping Gypsy - yes up there with the best Picasso's. Completely timeless, mezmerizing forever.. Likly one of the reasons why I first became an artist searching for that illusive Mystery.

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

Loved this painting since I was a child.

[@zuzuzuzu8084]

Wow i knew there was more famous paintings in I am legend movie than the van gough starry night one. They only show the tail of the lion in the movie but I fell in love with the colors and have been looking forever to find out who could have painted it And here we are!! Amazing work BTW. Thank you for bringing peace to my mind ❤️

[@jon368100]

This is absolutely fascinating, and I enjoyed the entire video. But as an organic chemist, you should be using breathing protection and at the *very* minimum gloves when using xylene and other benzene derivatives. Many of them (incl xylene) can produce some not very nice effects over the long term with small exposures like this.

[@usheilan8713]

I love all of Rousseau's work. I have always thought the lion was caught in the painting, sniffing and checking out the gypsy.... he was just curious!

[@trudyrank7389]

My all time absolute Favorite Painting ! Thank you !

[@Scott-kh4pw]

Brilliant work. It’s wonderful to see the preservation of great works for future generations to enjoy.

[@artbymeema-abstractart593]

They're so amazing! Really informative video. 🎨👏

[@TheBusyJane]

I cannot imagine the patience required to remove several layers of varnish off a big painting with a two inch square tissue.

[@jorgeds1]

4:05 that wasn't a mistake, just a happy little accident

[@inkydoug]

The way the sleeping woman lies in a kind of semi floating way makes me stop and look at the rest of what's happening.

[@timstangohr7859]

Great work. I love this channel!

[@camille6903]

It was really interresting ! Thank you for this video :)

[@vermelhoneon]

I could watch this for hours!

[@MrY1313]

Thank you!

[@dianeo]

So interesting! Thank you.

[@karlasolomon8128]

Fascinating.

[@Huckleberry87]

The conservator sounds like John Malkovich and all I can think of is John walking around on top of the plane in Con Air.

[@Ianoxen]

Oh my god, this has been my desktop wallpaper for over a year now and forgot that it is a painting! Haha!

[@eg-g]

those easels omg !

[@pkunkbwok]

Please tell me there's a UV coating on those gigantic windows...

[@thecinematicmind]

*ART.*

[@dales616]

The painting won't need a full varnish removal. Julian would be like, where's my scalpel.

[@davidmcfaul7595]

This is rousseau's best painting imo

[@paulbali9998]

the cadaverous rich get richer. rich paintings get high-Q healthcare, while great living artists labour and languish. still, i admire the care & competence!

[@stndsamurai8668]

Anyone else remember seeing this painting on an episode of lion tales??

[@J-IFWBR]

I like how you nonechalant flex your other pieces, during the video =D...

[@rene5600]

Hay is there an international restoration platform to exchange recommendations to restore this kind of paintings like an open-source art museum knowledge platform. Awesome hope to visit .

[@monogramadikt5971]

what a great job to have

[@lkmayhew9390]

Do you put an isolation layer on the painting prior to retouching?

[@Selene4213]

Comme dans les tableaux Du douanier Rousseau 🎶

[@FERNANDOMxcn]

What purpose does it have to use the back of the brush to scrape off some of the paint he applied? Why not use a softer tool? Or is it just to apply texture?

[@louibeans]

BAUMGARTNER SQUAD ayeeeee

[@cerviomartini6844]

Does anyone knows the name of the song playing at the last seconds?

[@Ergogeorge]

The absolute fear of painting on top of a painting!

[@ZCJKF13GDG4]

If he'd been born later Rousseau would have been a master in the medium of airbrushed vans

[@user-sy6nc6nh3c]

Best work ever

[@julie6092]

Does anyone else see the face in the moon?

[@rugbyfan5780]

The lion's eye looks super weird.

[@michaelangelobaldoza2712]

so this painting using the elements of art

[@thirza9508]

I'm planning on pursuing a career in art restoration. I'm now in my second to last year of high school (for what it's worth to call that, the school system here in The Netherlands is different) and before I will be abled to do the master in art restoration at the university of Amsterdam I will have to do a bachelor. What is a suitable bachelor in your opinion? I've obviously read many different things, from art history to science. What is your background if I might ask? Kind regards, Thirza

[@little_paul93]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@kristine8338]

❤❤❤❤

[@aserodriguez1425]

It's so clear and obvious to me they were completely off on the color they used for the sky. How could these professionals have such a bad eye for matching when it's a huge part of what they do. It bothers me so much that there such a huge contrast between the original color and the color used for the "restoration".

[@kristine8338]

❤️😍👍

[@fictionfatale3913]

Imagine accidentally scratching off some of the paint

[@kristine8338]

Rousseau is one of my favorites. His exotism.

[@miguelg1370]

Sounds like a really slow way of removing that much varnish? Show more of the conservation process itself!

[@theamateurear]

According to the MoMA website "The Sleeping Gypsy" is 51" x 6' 7" - but why does it look smaller in this video? Either that or the conservator is a gigantic man. Could somebody please explain? Thanks in advance.

[@boneguardsteel994]

Tissue!!!!

[@andriesscheper2022]

No rubber boots involved?

[@nerdnam]

Headdress looks an awful lot like layers of ham.

[@justinmcgonigle5587]

Should you be resting your hand directly on the surface?

[@janetanderson495]

The Lion is the gypsy, and the gypsy is the Lion.

[@zuluzero4659]

1897?, looks new

[@ivanolsen7966]

the artist didn't realize what a cat's eye looks like ?

[@atmakali9599]

Those tiny brushes, so mean with paint. Use spray cans for better coverage and a fraction of the time.

[@constantinosschinas4503]

maybe it was not a mistake and he really wanted a vessel burried in the sand.

[@jan3211200]

That lions eye says wake up and scream and run so I can maul and eat you ....

[@mattcampbell4150]

i see her face in the moon

[@JiveDadson]

Why is she missing the top of her head? That bothers me.

[@TheSwedishGuy0202]

the lion looks like a deer 🗿🗿🗿

[@bobbycratchet3958]

I use soap and water and a rag to clean my painting and the paperboard doesn't seem to mind.

[@rgurung351]

I thought that was an elephant from the thumbnail😂

[@crapmarine]

I dont think there is much jungle in Marocco

[@tuvoca825]

Can you try painting with something most people might have around the house, other than paint? Egg, drywall dust, etc? That would be neat, especially from someone like you. :)

[@spookykidbunny]

you put that hack Baumgartner to shame.

[@wandererinthedust276]

I'm sorry, but how is this an art restoration if you're not facing it with Washi Kozo???

[@idiotidiot5821]

As far as I'm concerned the second someone else 'treats' or modifies someone else's painting in any capacity it is no longer the original and completely valueless.

[@davidwhite2949]

Really? Painting over a masterpiece. In the name of “research”. What a travesty

[@Michael-xb7nq]

What do you mean? They weren’t painting over anything. It was Rousseau himself who had painted over that flask.

[@sapereaude391]

The skills of restoration aside, I can't be the only person who looks at this painting and thinks that the face of the lion looks more like a sheep. The features are not at all cat like, where is the feline nose? And cats do not have eyes on the sides of their heads, they are predators. Only animals which are preyed upon have eyes on the sides of their heads, predators' eyes are at the front.

[@natereed3409]

Stop touching other peoples art.