Ringling Conservation staff and contracted conservators have been hard at work treating the "Watermelon Regatta" allegorical painting. In this latest step, an isolating varnish was applied to the entire canvas.

The original hardwood floor in Gallery 2 of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art has long been in need of major restoration. This work began in early January, 2019, and will continue into April, during which time Galleries 1 and 2 will be closed to the public. But these are no ordinary floors...

One of the Ringling Art Library’s rare books includes a magnificent collection of prints published in 1606 and was recently conserved to repair water damage. When the pastedown was removed, it was discovered that some much earlier pieces of “manuscript waste” had been used in the binding!

In 2017 The Ringling conservation staff began a major restoration treatment of the "Watermelon Regatta." Find out about the conservation process for this unique work, created in Italy in the early 1700s.

The books previously owned by John and Mable Ringing hold an honored place within the Library’s Special Collections. While most of John Ringling's books are in remarkably good condition (considering they were stored without air condition for many decades!) some require conservation. Take a look behind the scenes at the conservation of a book that lead John Ringling to purchase a painting in the Museum's collection.

Ringling Chief Conservator Barbara Ramsay explains the long process to bring the De Vos Circus banner back from years of neglect.