Valentine Walsh ACR
About Me
Valentine established her conservation practice in 1979 in London. She has recently moved her practice to South Wales but she is happy to arrange inspection of paintings elsewhere and to arrange transport to her studio.
She works as a freelance conservator for private clients, museums, including the Imperial War Museum and the Museum of London among others, institutions and art dealers; the work ranging from mediaeval paintings and polychrome sculpture to contemporary paintings. Her work is carried out to museum standards carrying out both preventative and remedial treatments. This is undertaken in her studio or on site if required. Full conservation reports and photographic documentation are provided. Works of art are fully insured and she carries professional indemnity insurance. She works with her clients to offer pragmatic solutions to conservation problems.
A project of cleaning and strip lining Paul Nash, The Menin Road for the Imperial War Museum was filmed by the Museum in time lapse. It can be seen here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=UU3uAjWoLZ4bSi6qI9SjALxA&v=P6tA1iLDQfs&feature=emb_logo
This was also featured in a Sky Arts programme which can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MCGSqW9JHQ&feature=emb_logo
Valentine also works with conservation scientists to carry out full technical examinations of paintings where this is required. Her field of research is on historical pigments and she is co-author of the Pigment Compendium, a much cited reference work.
Valentine also has experience in the rescue of works of art after fire and flood as well as in war, where she was involved in the immediate treatment of church artifacts during the Balkan conflict. She has lectured on disaster preparedness as well as lecturing on general aspects of conservation.
Valentine is a Fellow of the Society of Antiqueries (FSA), a Fellow of the International Institute for Conservation (FIIC), and an American Institute for Conservation professional associate (PA-AIC)
For more information please see her website: www.valentinewalsh.co.uk
Training
Intern at the Kunstmuseum, Basel, Switzerland under Dr Paolo Cadorin. There worked on a range of paintings from Matthias Grünewald to Cy Twombly.
Apprenticed to Bettina Jessell, then the conservator for the National Portrait gallery. Worked principally on early British portraits on canvas and panel.
BA (cum Laude), Renaissance Studies, University of Pennsylvania
