42nd Annual Meeting – Objects Session, May 31, "Conserving Stringed Sculpture: The Treatment of Henry Moore's Mother and Child" by Nicole Ledoux

Nicole Ladoux, a Samuel H. Kress Fellow at the Straus Center for Conservation and Technical Studies, Harvard Art Museum, presented her talk entitled “Conserving Stringed Sculpture: Treatment of Henry Moore’s Mother and Child.” She described the complicated decisions surrounding whether or not to replace or preserve degraded linen strings used on a cast lead sculpture. The treatment illustrated innovative techniques that could be incredibly useful for others with similar stringed challenges. Having been confronted with an almost identical bronze sculpture at the Baltimore Museum of Art, I was eager to hear how she had overcome the challenges that I worried about with my own project.

 
Moore is well known for his Mother and Child sculptures and for working with a variety of materials but you might not have seen his stringed sculptures. Harvard’s Mother and Child was part of series from 1939. An edition of seven bronze and string sculptures were made but Harvard’s is the only known lead sculpture from the series. He made several other lead sculptures in different forms between 1938-40.
When Nicole first encountered Mother and Child, it had seen better days. The lead sculpture was abraded and gouged in areas with a white haze, while the loose, frayed, and broken strings had changed from yellow to brown. Working from an older photo, she was able to create a diagram documenting what was there and how it all went back together. This diagram was crucial and developing the treatment. The treatment centered around one question: to repair or restring?
The strings were threaded through holes in the sculpture that were then covered over with lead solder making the restringing difficult. If she were to restring, the solder would have to be removed to complete the task. To repair the strings, she would be challenged to reattach and secure what was there without much flexibility. In the end, she and the curator decided to preserve what was there, partially because the color of the stings was considered acceptable in light of the overall patina that the lead had taken on over the years.
Nicole reached out to the Objects Specialty Group distlist for suggestions and researched treatment options. She created mockups by stretching modern linen thread, slicing them, and testing repairs. Adhesives tested included 50% B-72 in acetone, Lascaux 498HV, and wheat starch paste in conjunction with Stabiltex threads and twisted rolls of Japanese tissue paper. In the end, the best option proved to be the wheat starch paste and Japanese tissue paper. The tissue gripped and held the tension better.
The next challenge was how to hold and align the threads so she could perform her repairs and have precise alignment. Realizing that this was a known challenge for a ship model restorer, she consulted one who suggested using electric wire test clamps. She was then able to construct a jig using the clamps, twill tape, foam blocks, and a magnifying glass (among other items) to do the repairs. You’ll have to wait on the OSG postprints to see how this all works together because I even need to see it again. The key seemed to be the clamps. Her strategy depended on the situation including where the string was attached and what had to happen. For instance, a string that had pulled out of its original socket could be covered with a protective tissue sleeve and secured in the hole with B-72, and held with a clamp padded with volara. Other more complicated breaks, such as a one that broke that near the hole where it was threaded in the center of the sculpture, could be reattached using multiple twists that were used to hold tension and then others that were used to secure two broken ends together. The clamping jig was key to holding everything together.  If there was a gap, more twists could be added to bulk up the missing area and better secure the string. Again, you’ll have to use your imagination but just wait until you see Nicole’s images because it will all be clear!
Nicole acknowledged that these repairs will likely weaken with age. She mentioned that restringing could become necessary in the future but that treatment works well for the moment. Overall, it was a great in depth look into a complicated problem. I can’t wait to take another look at my museum’s Mother and Child and digest these excellent tips and suggestions.