Join us for live conservation at the MFA!

The conservation of art—preserving objects through professional, specialized treatment—is one of the Museum of Fine Art’s most important goals. Live Conservation: Restoring a 17th Century Spanish Tabernacle is a small, intensive exhibition that focuses on the conservation of a gilded, painted, and carved tabernacle made in Northern Spain during the mid-1600s. This extraordinary object, which the museum recently acquired, preserves most of its original surface. However, over time, woodworms, daily use, and even changes in humidity and temperature have damaged the work. In addition, dust, candle soot, and other contaminants have dulled the rich gilded and painted surfaces.

Luis Seixas—an alumnus of the conservation program at the prestigious Universidade Nova, Lisbon—will meticulously undertake the task of cleaning, consolidating, and restoring this precious artifact live within the Miriam Acheson Gallery. 

Among the most important goals of modern conservation is assuring that any alteration—including repairs or repainting—returns the object as much as possible to its original appearance. This unique experiential project will allow visitors to see the conservation process and interact with the conservator—allowing them to ask questions about treatment, technique, and materials.

Live conservation occurs most weekdays (Tuesday through Friday) between 10 am – 2 pm, with a break around noon, with a special Saturday session (10 am – 12 pm) each month.

FREE for MFA Members; Included with the cost of admission for Not-Yet Members 

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MFA Members enjoy free admission for an entire year, early access to special exhibitions, discounts at the MFA Shop and Café Clementine, special member-only exclusive events, and more. Bring the whole family!

LIVE CONSERVATION MADE POSSIBLE BY THE MFA GUILD.