The care and repair of works of art, broadly known as art conservation, is an activity as old as art-making. Art objects grow old, and while some last for centuries, others last for only a few years. What makes some objects so durable, while others age so quickly? Can the aging process be slowed through careful storage and display? When serious damage has occurred, either through again or some catastrophic event, what can be done to restore the object's former beauty?
These questions lie at the heart of conservation efforts, and just as medical sciences have led to longer, healthier lives...