While condition checking we came across an infested drawing, two moth cocoons had attached themselves on the backing board near the left upper corner. It seemed that the pupae had ceased but a female moth can survive in there for two years. We wrapped and sealed the artwork in polythene and separated it from the collection. One option was to apply an anoxic treatment used by conservators since the 1980, i.e. the bug-ridden item is placed in an enclosure, reducing oxygen to sufficient levels to destroy all stages of the life cycle of the insect. In this instance, the conservator was able to remove the chrysalises without disturbing them. The drawing then was unframed and further re-examined, reframed and secured with a new backing board.
Pests pose a continuous threat to objects of organic nature and artworks, causing serious damage. We were fortunate that only one artwork out of almost three hundred was contaminated.
©Renée Pfister Art & Gallery Consultancy
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