Conservation & Techniques

Introduction  |  Raking Light and Relief  |  Ultra-Violet Light  |  Infra-Red Reflectography
X-Radiography (X-Rays)  |  Back of the Painting  |  Condition of Ophelia  |  Conservation Records

The best way to learn about the technique of an artist is to look closely at the real painting. If you see a reproduction of a painting in a book, it is difficult to imagine the scale, the artist's use of paint and the colours. Some reproductions show the work of art as brighter, or darker than in reality. By looking really closely at a painting you may see evidence of where an artist has changed the content or composition.

In a gallery, conservators (people who maintain and conserve works of art), study works of art more closely using various techniques that help us understand how an artist painted (see image on right). They record their findings in writing and in photographs. Conservators keep conservation records for every work of art that the Tate owns. Recent records are also recorded onto a computer.

Use the navigation above to find out about the methods conservators use to learn about artists' techniques.