Conservation Survey of Lee Wonsik Collection of East Asian Art

FAIN: PG-51131-11

Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois (Champaign, IL 61801-3620)
Kathleen Jones (Project Director: May 2010 to November 2012)

A conservation assessment of Chinese paintings and calligraphy at the Krannert Art Museum. The collection contains 335 items representing some of the most important artistic traditions of the Ming and Qing periods by artists whose work influenced the development of new styles in Japanese painting and calligraphy during the Edo period. An important resource for East Asian Studies, better preservation of this collection would serve the needs of students and scholars.

Krannert Art Museum (KAM) is seeking preservation assistance to support a condition survey of the Lee Wonsik collection by specialist conservator Kewei Wang, Senior Conservator of Asian Art at the University of Michigan Museum of Art. The Lee Wonsik collection is a major collection of Chinese painting and calligraphy from the late imperial age acquired by the University for Krannert Art Museum in 2004. The proposed conservation survey will allow prioritization of works in need of treatment. The survey report will provide data for inclusion in future applications for treatment support assistance. The results of this survey will further inform planning for future exhibitions of work from this collection, as well as selections for rotation within the Asian gallery. The project is estimated to take two weeks on location at KAM. Funds requested from the NEH in this application will support the cost of the consultant's fee.