In July of 2018, conservation of the iconic Statue of David at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art began, a project made possible by The Sarasota Giving Challenge.
For the first time in over sixty years, one of the most impressive works of art in The Ringling’s collection will return to view. Conservation of the painting was supported by The Getty Foundation Conserving Canvas Initiative.
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...
The historic swimming pool in front of Ca' d'Zan has been restored! This fulfills the longtime dream of Ron McCarty, Keeper of the Ca' d'Zan, who retires this August after 38 years of service to the legacy of John and Mable Ringling.
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.
