Email digest for the Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList) egroup. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. RE: Canvas Stamp 2. RE: MFT-IDG Webinar, Nov 14: "Microfading Testers in Use: Whitmore, Fotonowy, and Retroreflective 3. Book Conservator: School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London 4. Conservation and museums 5. XRF on ethnographic collection 6. RE: Canvas Stamp ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.From: Mohammed Rampurawala Posted: Monday November 10, 2025 8:32 AM Subject: RE: Canvas Stamp Message: Hi Heather, Advance AI search gave me this result, although I was unable to find any details on the internet that could support this result. I am afraid that AI misinterpreted the characters in the image, but I wonder where did it find the details about the canvas supplier mentioned in the answer :-) can you please identify the stamp in this image?? Based on the visible letters and the style of the marking, the image shows a supplier's stamp from A. J. Vibert, a well-known 19th-century purveyor of artist's materials in Paris. # Stamp Identification The stamp on the canvas can be identified as belonging to A. J. Vibert. These marks, known as "cachets de marchand de couleurs" (colormen's stamps), were applied to the back of prepared canvases sold to artists. ## Details of the Vibert Stamp Visible Text: Although faint, the key features of a Vibert stamp are visible: The initials "A. J." are often present. The name "VIBERT" is the most prominent part of the mark. The location "A PARIS" was commonly included. A large letter, in this case, a "B", may indicate the quality or type of the canvas. Historical Context: Supplier: Jean-Pierre Vibert (and later his successors) operated in Paris during a crucial period for artists, including the Impressionists. Purpose: These stamps are valuable for art historians and conservators as they help to date and authenticate paintings from that era. Finding a Vibert stamp on the back of a painting provides a clue about its origin and timeframe. Material: The fabric appears to be linen canvas, which was a common support for oil paintings and the primary material sold by suppliers like Vibert. ------------------------------ Mohammed Rampurawala Paper Conservator Al Jamea Tus Saifiyah Surat India ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 11-07-2025 15:31 From: Heather Galloway Subject: Canvas Stamp I have an unlined British painting in my studio from 1822 that has a repeated canvas stamp that is difficult to read. The artist worked in London. The stamp is topped with a crown and the bottom appears to read "2J8" but most of the image did not take well to the linen. I'm attaching an image of the clearest impression in the hopes that someone might recognize it. Thanks, Heather ------------------------------ Heather Galloway Conservator, Fellow Galloway Art Conservation 1305 W 80th St. Suite #225 Cleveland, OH 44102 ------------------------------ 2.From: Vincent Beltran Posted: Monday November 10, 2025 8:36 AM Subject: RE: MFT-IDG Webinar, Nov 14: "Microfading Testers in Use: Whitmore, Fotonowy, and Retroreflective Message: A quick reminder that the Microfading Tester International Discussion Group (MFT-IDG) <https://www.culturalheritage.org/groups/mft-idg> will host its first webinar titled "Microfading Testers In Use: Whitmore, Fotonowy, and Retroreflective" on Friday, November 14, from 8-930am (Los Angeles) / 11am-1230pm (New York) / 1-230pm (Rio de Janeiro) / 4-530pm (Edinburgh) / 8-930pm (Dubai) / 12-130am (next day, Manila). Attendance is free, but requires event registration at the following link: https://getty.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_iNfBtLtjQ8qFfVBiQ0Ngrg <https://getty.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_iNfBtLtjQ8qFfVBiQ0Ngrg> This live webinar will review three iterations of the microfading tester (MFT), which is used to assess the in situ light sensitivity of an object: The original MFT design by Paul Whitmore and subsequent designs by Instytut Fotonowy and Jacob Thomas (retroreflective) will be presented by Kirsten Dunne ACR (National Galleries of Scotland), Abed Haddad (Museum of Modern Art), and JP Brown (Field Museum), respectively, and will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A. We hope that you'll consider joining the webinar (and our MFT-IDG community <https://www.culturalheritage.org/groups/mft-idg>)! For those unable to attend, the webinar will be recorded and posted to the AIC YouTube channel. ------------------------------ Vincent Laudato Beltran Scientist, Getty Conservation Institute Chair, MFT-IDG [email protected] ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 10-14-2025 02:04 From: Vincent Beltran Subject: MFT-IDG Webinar, Nov 14: "Microfading Testers in Use: Whitmore, Fotonowy, and Retroreflective The Microfading Tester International Discussion Group (MFT-IDG) <https://www.culturalheritage.org/groups/mft-idg> will host its first webinar titled "Microfading Testers In Use: Whitmore, Fotonowy, and Retroreflective" on Friday, November 14, from 8-930am (Los Angeles) / 11am-1230pm (New York) / 1-230pm (Rio de Janeiro) / 4-530pm (Edinburgh) / 8-930pm (Dubai) / 12-130am (next day, Singapore). Attendance is free, but requires event registration at the following link: https://getty.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_iNfBtLtjQ8qFfVBiQ0Ngrg <https://getty.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_iNfBtLtjQ8qFfVBiQ0Ngrg> This live webinar will review three iterations of the microfading tester (MFT), which is used to assess the in situ light sensitivity of an object. Heritage institutions that have been long-time MFT users continue to rely upon instruments based on the original design by conservation scientist Paul Whitmore (Whitmore, Pan, and Bailie; JAIC 1999), which employs a 0/45 measurement geometry and a xenon-arc light source (Whitmore MFT). In recent years, many institutions have turned to an MFT developed by Instytut Fotonowy that uses an LED light source and incorporates more automation (Fotonowy MFT), while others have adopted an MFT design by Jacob Thomas using a retroreflective head that allows for flexibility in the measurement angle (Retroreflective MFT). Topics to be discussed for each MFT include acquisition, assembly, training, portability, maintenance, procedure, and examples of use. Three speakers, all of whom are experienced MFT users, will introduce the different instrument types: Kirsten Dunne ACR, Senior Projects Conservator, National Galleries of Scotland (Whitmore MFT); Abed Haddad, Assistant Conservation Scientist, Museum of Modern Art (Fotonowy MFT); and JP Brown, Senior Conservator, Field Museum (Retroreflective MFT). Their presentations will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A moderated by Cindy Connelly Ryan, Preservation Science Specialist, Library of Congress; and Vincent Laudato Beltran, Scientist, Getty Conservation Institute. For those interested but unable to attend, the webinar will be recorded and posted to the AIC YouTube channel. Further discussion about MFT practice and lighting policy development can be found in the MFT-IDG online community <https://www.culturalheritage.org/groups/mft-idg>, which you can join for free. The MFT-IDG is supported by the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) and sponsored by the AIC's Preventive Care Network. Thanks also to the Getty for supporting organization of this MFT-IDG webinar. We hope to see many of you at the November 14 event and in our MFT-IDG community! ------------------------------ Vincent Laudato Beltran Scientist, Getty Conservation Institute Chair, MFT-IDG [email protected] <[email protected]> ------------------------------ 3.From: Alexa McNaught-Reynolds Posted: Monday November 10, 2025 8:36 AM Subject: Book Conservator: School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London Message: The School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, is excited to be recruiting for a recently graduated Book conservator to join our team for a short term project but with the possibility of extension. For details on the job and the online application please go to the SOAS website: Digitisation Project Conservator - SOAS <https://vacancies.soas.ac.uk/job/792921> 4.From: Christian Mueller-Straten Posted: Monday November 10, 2025 8:36 AM Subject: Conservation and museums Message: Hi all, the yesterday published issue of EXPOTIME! (free reading) contains several information and articles worth reading by conservators-restorers (EXPOTIME! November 2025) <https://expotimemuster.maex-uploads.de>: 1) articles on the new Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Paris fashion and architecture and an upcoming Fugger exhibition in Aughsburg 2) A fine article by young conservators on the hidden demons of a painting and detecting them with modern technologies - and revealing them in an exhibition which was opened yesterday. This happened in Bratislava, Slovakia - why not in the the so-called rich countries? Visitors would like it everywhere. 3) news from the dark side (France, UK, Germany) 4) and the quoting of one of the excellent discussions led here in AIC/FAIC. Best Adelheid Straten Christian Mueller-Straten ------------------------------ [Christian] [Mueller-Straten] [Researcher, Publisher, Art Historian] [Owner] [Verlag Dr. Christian Mueller-Straten] [Munich] [Germany] [0049-89-839 690 43] [https://www.museum-aktuell.de] https://www.museum-aktuell.de/CEO ------------------------------ 5.From: Stefanie Scheerer Posted: Monday November 10, 2025 8:37 AM Subject: XRF on ethnographic collection Message: I am facing the following situation: An ethnographic museum in Germany is planning to perform pesticide measurements on their entire collection, formerly collected across all continents. Included are also some sacred objects / objects for ritual purpose and potentially ancestors. However, so far there is no contact with the communities of origin. Nevertheless, the museum intends to measure every object with XRF. ( I am aware of the limits of XRF on organic pesticides) I brought to the museum's attention that source communities should be generally contacted and asked for permission before performing XRF analyses. In the case of this forthcoming project there is only little time left for further actions. Instead, occupational health and safety issues require testing to be performed within the next few months. Indirect wipe sampling is most likely not an option, since XRF may not sensitive enough to give reliable results. However, any ideas on indirect XRF testing of wipes/swabs are also appreciated. Other indirect analytical methods such as GC/MS are too expensive to be performed on the entire collection. Currently, I'm wondering how other museums address this problem. Are you aware of any museum that has a protocol when collection-wide XRF analyses is planned? It would be very helpful to see any written document addressing this issue. Are you aware of other museums performing or not performing XRF analyses on sacred objects / ancestors / objects for ritual purposes when contact to source communities does not exist? Should ancestral items be treated like human remains or possibly like human beings. This would, however, mean that XRF analysis must not be performed, since pointing an X-ray beam at a human being is inacceptable. Do you maybe know whom I could contact for such information? Thank you very much for your support and taking your time on this! Sincerely, Stefanie Dr. Stefanie Scheerer Microbiology & Conservation Stuttgart, Germany [email protected] ------------------------------ Stefanie Scheerer Microbiologist & Conservator Freelance/Private Practice/Self-employed/Independent Stuttgart Germany ------------------------------ 6.From: Christian Mueller-Straten Posted: Monday November 10, 2025 8:37 AM Subject: RE: Canvas Stamp Message: https://www.npg.org.uk/assets/files/pdf/research/Dmarks_1_1785_1831.pdf is indeed an excellent source, but it says only that, according to Sally Woodcock, "2J8" is a duty stamp. Does anyone have an idea what it means in words? Was it an import? From where? ------------------------------ [Christian] [Mueller-Straten] [Researcher, Publisher, Art Historian] [Owner] [Verlag Dr. Christian Mueller-Straten] [Munich] [Germany] [0049-89-839 690 43] [https://www.museum-aktuell.de] https://www.museum-aktuell.de/CEO ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 11-08-2025 19:41 From: Heather Galloway Subject: Canvas Stamp Dear All, Thank you for all the resources. I find a rather humorous that as an American I was thinking of Colourman's stamps when it is an import duty! Again, thanks for all the suggestions. Best, Heather ------------------------------ Heather Galloway Conservator, Fellow Galloway Art Conservation 1305 W 80th St. Suite #225 Cleveland, OH 44102 ------------------------------ Original Message: Sent: 11-08-2025 12:34 From: Ian Primrose Subject: Canvas Stamp Heather, The word above 2J8 is LINENS, and is likely a Duty Stamp. I have attached a similar example (look at the sideways mark below the 80), taken from the National Portrait Gallery, London, resource - British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950, subsection - British canvas, stretcher and panel suppliers' marks, Part 1, 1785-1831. Hope this helps, Ian Primrose Restorer Original Message: Sent: 11/7/2025 3:32:00 PM From: Heather Galloway Subject: Canvas Stamp I have an unlined British painting in my studio from 1822 that has a repeated canvas stamp that is difficult to read. The artist worked in London. The stamp is topped with a crown and the bottom appears to read "2J8" but most of the image did not take well to the linen. I'm attaching an image of the clearest impression in the hopes that someone might recognize it. Thanks, Heather ------------------------------ Heather Galloway Conservator, Fellow Galloway Art Conservation 1305 W 80th St. Suite #225 Cleveland, OH 44102 ------------------------------ You are subscribed to "Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList)" as [email protected]. To change your subscriptions, go to http://community.culturalheritage.org/preferences?section=Subscriptions. To unsubscribe from this community discussion, go to https://community.culturalheritage.org/HigherLogic/eGroups/Unsubscribe.aspx?UserKey=d16eaa87-0f69-494b-9f2f-303dbc1222e1&sKey=fab9aa4f27a04c5d876e&GroupKey=757a8f16-505f-4323-8e74-e376757aa9f7.
