Microscopically reweaving a 1907 painting | CONSERVATION STORIES

To ready Paula Modersohn-Becker's "Self Portrait" (1907) for MoMA's reopening in October, conservator Diana Hartman tackles the question of how to repair holes in the painting’s canvas. She figures out that a curved needle typically used in eye surgery might allow her to avoid removing the work from its original stretcher. And her inventiveness doesn’t end there: Using an adhesive made from a sturgeon bladder, she secures linen thread to the needle to darn the pieces back together with the help of a microscope. Hartman shows how she makes unobtrusive repairs, to keep viewers’ gaze focused on the portrait itself. “Just by doing this treatment,” Hartman says, “we’ve given a breath of fresh air to this painting.”
Artwork credits
Paula Modersohn-Becker. Self-Portrait with Two Flowers in Her Raised Left Hand. 1907. Oil on canvas. Jointly owned by The Museum of Modern Art, New York, Gift of Debra and Leon Black, and Neue Galerie New York, Gift of Jo Carole and Ronald S. Lauder
Hugo Erfurth. Paula Modersohn-Becker with her daughter Mathilde. November 1907. Paula Modersohn-Becker-Stiftung, Bremen/©DACS 2015
Paula Modersohn-Becker. Mutter mit Kind. 1903. Oil and tempera on canvas. Hamburger Kunsthalle, Geschenk der Freunde der Kunsthalle e. V., 1946. © Hamburger Kunsthalle/bpk. Photo: Elke Walford
Paula Modersohn-Becker. Tête d’une Jeune Fille Blonde Coiffée d’un Chapeau de Paille (Head of a Young Blonde Girl Wearing a Straw Hat). c. 1904. Tempera on cardboard. Kunst-und Museumsverein, Wuppertal. © Medienzentrum, Antje Zeis-Loi/Kunst-und Museumsverein, Wuppertal
Paula Modersohn-Becker. Porträt des Rainer Maria Rilke. 1906. Oil on canvas. Sammlung Ludwig Roselius, Bremen
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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.
#newMoMA #MoMA2019 #conservation #paulamodersohnbecker #art #museumofmodernart #moma #museum #modernart

[@spiderprint]

If you play this backwards it becomes a short documentary on a woman's very meticulous revenge on early 20th century art.

[@nicklewis470]

I wonder how the original artist would feel knowing that someone is painstakingly preserving their art...

[@negritorican]

Its the worse when they dont show before and after side by side shots :(

[@Zero-vu7zu]

First time running into someone that's that's not Baumgartner Restoration. This is interesting

[@manapond4263]

"They did surgery on a painting"

[@jennfurr]

Very nicely done, but would have been happier with a longer video, showing more of the actual restoration technique, and closeups of before and after, rather than showing just the entire painting.

[@Carlos-fz4md]

Paula knew that tacks are superior to staples!!!

[@meatballg8655]

Good to see tacks being used, far superior to staples, though no Belgian linen applied

[@lincolnpharmaceuticals9146]

I am now convinced she originally painted herself in a halo.

[@Desi-qw9fc]

She's rightfully proud of that linen-on-needle technique, must have been a real bear to get that working!

[@embelkowitz]

If this was my job there would be a fist sized hole in the painting after 5 minutes of doing this. She is unbelievably calm

[@milloey]

It's interesting to see how others do restorations because I am so used to seeing Baumgartner's techniques that I find it quite weird to be watching someone other than him. This video was really interesting though, I'm glad I decided to watch it, subscribed👍

[@itsVauld]

No one: Microscope Weave Girl: "We have a full fridge of bladders" *tehee*

[@noelgarland3068]

dream job right there

[@driesketels]

Just amazing how she fixes and restores that painting. I wish someone could restore my relationship like that :)

[@bebop54]

lol....witty....

[@tooplepsy3930]

If they had used Belgian linen this wouldve never happened!!!

[@blastingoff]

This woman could repair my broken heart.

[@zoed1211]

See you all in 15 years when the KZbin algorithm unites us all again.

[@joemama-ow4do]

bruh imagine messing these up you would have to flee the country

[@bunnichuktube]

I am sincerely crying right now imagining her baby growing up and studying this painting of their mother. What we leave behind; the wonderful and terrible permanence of things. Thank you for treating this painting with care and grace.

[@rhijulbec1]

Conservationists have the patience of four thousand me's, lol. I'm so very, very not patient. I love sewing, knitting, buliding things and DYI but have so little patience for what I call finishing. Like hand sewing intricate doo dads on a special dress or that fussy last bit of a completed sweater etc. I just hate it. I do it for sure but I'm not having fun! Her calm demeanor and steady hands help a lot I'm sure. The artist's story is so sad. But at that time it was frightfully common for women to die before, during or after childbirth. I'm amazed we managed to survive as a species, given how dangerous having children was until recent history. As a nurse (40+ years ret) I've seen it three times. And all were due to uterine rupture during childbirth, something that cannot be prediagnosed and is often fatal.

[@CybranM]

7:49 spending all that time meticulously repairing the painting and then just taping the side? Seems a bit weird

[@racquelcastilla3322]

She is what you call an ART SURGEON

[@jhuztein1125]

I love this. All my working life I have been used to instant demands and deadlines and never was able to just have the time to do really good quality work.

[@conallmccauley2166]

Even though this isn't directly art, there is definitely something unbelievably creative about her process of conservation

[@gibbyace5077]

She Sounds super chill

[@toriam15]

Wow, what unique and specialized skills she has.

[@notesl5576]

The classical music in the backround sounds like the theme of Howl's Moving Castle.

[@brandonbui8728]

this is almost as satisfying as that toy story scene

[@insomb]

I really admire the focus and detail that goes into this work, it's as admirable as the paintings.

[@RedShoes29]

Sis really used techniques in EYE SURGERY just to fix linen, damn. That's A plus problem solving work. Bravo!

[@christinelavallee57]

Beautiful conservation work! Heartbroken by the story of the artist. Another commenter said it, but I bet it was a halo, that ring underneath the finished project. Sadly, also premonitory.

[@sunlitshoto4952]

This reminds me of the scene in toy story 2

[@adraedin]

"We have a whole fridge full of bladders... so.. tehe" lol

[@eror57]

Would've loved to see a before and after of the work done, but still amazing an amazing job

[@Monstervolging]

I give props to anyone who restores paintings. The amount of patience you need to have for this job is overwhelming.

[@Hannah-ig7th]

My jaw dropped when she said it was on its original stretcher with the original tacks. So cool 😍😍

[@commonpoppy]

So much respect for this job

[@mainecoon5459]

I love how they have respect to the art, and how she appreciate the art itself :))

[@The_A_Cast]

My great-grandmother was born in 1907. Passed away in 2006. Such a long, lovely and amazing life! RIP Granny ❤️

[@da96103]

6:06 When you lost one piece of the 1000 piece puzzle, make your own one.

[@madeofglitterr]

i love conservation videos 🗣

[@ihartman7028]

Thank you so much for this awesome videos, I learned so much please keep making them ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@knaguar]

Hi MoMA, Ophthalmologist here, you can try acquiring ophthalmic suture forceps and needle holder (if you haven't done so already) they would make this work much easier as you can achieve much better suture control with those instruments!

[@carolabruzzo4935]

I love this and I am so enthralled by the intricate restoration you do.

[@tianzining]

I felt her hand is just dancing on the canvas, so beautiful job!

[@markieross9449]

"We have a whole fridge full of bladders, so" *and just when I thought I've heard it all*

[@beautifulrecovery2337]

This was honestly the most satisfying thing. Start to finish for real.

[@spookykidbunny]

fish glue is wonderfully weird stuff. i use it for fine cabinetry.

[@Gucciblackberry]

Beautiful story, beautiful work!! Thank uuu

[@lonbub6832]

I’ve watched this many times over the years. This woman is a BOSS! So impressive! 🤩😎

[@callaywhaanga7071]

Very beautifully done not only the painting but the restorer also done a beautiful job

[@CynymonGirl]

Fascinating behind the scenes look. Thank you.

[@lynnblack6493]

Such patience and attention to small detail! Lovely job in the end.

[@Fraupy04]

The amount of joy I would get from doing this is unbelievable

[@jazminyz]

Needs to do my homework because I’m behind Me: ThIs Is MoRe ImPoRtAnT

[@jessicab2202]

How absolutely fascinating! I loved this!

[@mch12311969]

Fascinating to see how it is done, also there is something about Ms Hartman that I find endearing.

[@normanmerrill1241]

I am so impressed with the delicacy and improvisation …the detail…you and you are so charming and beautiful…be safe…

[@theadoresmith2777]

Astounding delicacy. Bravo on your work!

[@Calgary27]

Congratulations on a job well done by a consummate professional - thank you for your clear explanations for you lay audience

[@memeking7907]

She’s a viable eye surgeon in my book

[@billykobilca6321]

I absolutely have a love for this type of stretcher, the tacks on the side the simplicity of wood... Something about it.

[@TopRPDRvideos]

Wonderful! More videos like this please, even more detailed in the procedure. I could watch weaving on an old canvas for a full hour and still be left wanting more!

[@bebop54]

this was great ...thank you..

[@charlesjmudd]

Wild 😀 .. Very impressive..

[@catherine6306]

Oh wow. You have a lot of talent and I'm impressed with how patient you are! :D

[@MicaRayan]

I like this job...it's noble !

[@benb2399]

Anyone thinking she should be provided way more sophisticated tools: Welcome to the Art World

[@dayghost379]

I like it The way they r preserving art😍

[@theenigma7685]

I love watching this very satisfying

[@Bluebuthappy182]

What a fascinating job.

[@adgonzr]

The x-ray is mesmerizing! so much history!

[@ErinLady85]

What an honour, she was a remarkable artist I would kill to have one of her paintings 😍

[@simondaly1868]

Amazing work!

[@chriswitt2596]

What a lovely beautiful talented lady.

[@tomato613]

Will hentai art be treated this way 2 centuries later

[@X56th_SFS]

I could watch her work forever.....

[@nicjunsu]

Wow this is amazing!!

[@raceface_m2579]

Wonderfully done!

[@slm5667]

I have an archaeology degree, an art history degree, and medical science degree but no art experience so no portfolio...but I wonder how good your technique needs to be to conserve different things.... anyway, this made me happy.

[@toolshed0513]

Am I the only person with an absolute crush on the woman restoring this art piece?

[@jordannoble8757]

Honestly looks like a struggle lol. I had to go through a micro solder school and I can tell u doing anything under a microscope can be so frustrating.

[@KMCDM]

She is made for this!

[@Tokanya]

Fascinating.

[@maddoxbruce4621]

I love her hair so much.

[@ladom6315]

This is patience at its finest.

[@dulceele2967]

I'm on my second year of getting my art conservation and restoration degree and we have just learned how to do these shorts of procedures

[@fruitoson4227]

i live for these

[@mmca9323]

This painting is very beautiful

[@nobodycj5037]

Her voice is absolutely mesmerizing

[@robydy2920]

She is pleasant to listen to

[@claudiaramosmonteiro]

This is brilliant

[@clemson4767]

More of these pls

[@boodro2122]

Much respect...

[@animeage7684]

Hands up to painting surgey👍

[@grcfrank]

Truthfully enjoy these stories!

[@karenannoyed153]

If this was a channel of repair and painting us by a thread and needle I would watch it!

[@kristian3466]

I'm struck by the candidness of the photo of the artist with her new-born baby at 00:29. People often look so stiff and formal on old photos, and that quality itself makes those photos look old. But here, she seems so relaxed and casual that it makes the photo look almost contemporary. I find it hard to believe that this is a moment from 115 years ago...

[@osmancildir3938]

isn't it more easy for everyone, once a piece is renovated to wrap it with a very thin clear mate pastic film like with air suction then have it like this so nothing much can destroy the painting