Lee Krasner Murals
Location
New York, NY
Services
Materials
Venetian Glass
JBC was retained by the general contractor, SavCon, to conserve two large glass mosaic murals located above the Whitehall Street and Broad Street entrances of 2 Broadway in New York, NY. The mosaics were designed by artist Lee Krasner circa 1959 using Venetian glass and measure approximately 85 by 12 feet and 20 by 20 feet.
In the initial phase of the project, JBC performed conditions assessments of both murals to document deteriorated conditions, conducted cleaning tests to determine the most appropriate methods to remove a failed clear coating, facilitated probes to understand the underlying conditions causing cracks and other damage to the glass tesserae, and developed treatment recommendations for repairs.
JBC was awarded the contract for conservation of the murals and executed treatments which included cleaning and coating removal, glass replacement, and crack stabilization. JBC also monitored structural work performed on the back side of the murals to remediate underlying conditions contributing to the damage.
Project Scope
Conditions assessment and treatment plan
Cleaning tests
Exploratory probes
Cleaning and coating removal
Glass sourcing and replacement
Crack stabilization
Front mural after conservation.
Side mural after conservation.
Side mural after conservation.
Front mural after conservation.
Existing conditions survey graphic identifying types and extents of damage.
Failed coating.
Failed coating before conservation.
Coating removal tests.
A conservation technician covers an application of coating removal chemical.
Crack before conservation.
Missing glass before conservation.
Cracked glass before conservation.
Templating for replacement glass.
Crack and losses before treatment.
Crack and losses after treatment.
Replacement glass before grouting.
Poor previous repair before treatment.
Poor previous repair after treatment.
Spalled glass before conservation.
Failed previous repair (paint peeling from fill).
Glass matching.
Glass matching.
Glass matching.
Conservation technicians seen above the construction barricade.