Conserving The Hours

Edwin Austin Abbey’s (1852–1911, Hon. 1897) 12-foot diameter study for his ceiling painting The Hours is on display for the first time since arriving at Yale in 1937. Rolled in storage for almost 80 years, the work presented unique challenges to the conservators tasked with preparing it for view and travel. Cynthia Schwarz, Senior Associate Conservator of Paintings, and Kelsey Wingel, Associate Conservator of Paintings, discuss the extensive conservation of this study for Abbey’s celestial ceiling, as well as what they learned about the artist’s creative process, materials, and painting technique. Offered in conjunction with the exhibition The Dance of Life: Figure and Imagination in American Art, 1876–1917.  

Major support for The Dance of Life is made possible by the Henry Luce Foundation, with additional support provided by the Wyeth Foundation for American Art.  

Space is limited.