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=  Paper Conservator Concerns  =

A Paper Conservator specializes in safe storage, preventative care and conservation treatment of works on paper such as manuscripts, prints, drawings, and others. There are various types of conservators, each specialized to particular materials and media from which art or other cultural heritage is made from.

What do Paper Conservators do at the Getty?

Factors for Paper Damage

 * Light exposure
 * Contact with acidic material
 * Over handling/ mishandling
 * Moisture and humidity
 * Pests

Light exposure
Light damages paper and pigments over time. Prolonged exposure to ultra violet rays is the most damaging. These rays are found in natural light so museums and galleries regulate exposure to natural daylight and use light which filters out UV to display works. All light over time will cause damage which is why works on paper are more frequently switched out during long art exhibitions.

Contact with acidic material
The most obvious evidence of paper damage due to contact with acidic material is the yellowing and darkening of the paper. This damage from exposure to acidic materials and its evidence is commonly referred to as paper burn. The matting on paper could be acidic and the evidence is in the edging of the paper outlining a seemingly discolored burn marking. The need for Acid-free archival material is paramount when framing and storing. This is true for not only works on paper, but all cultural heritage and works meant to be preserved.

Over Handling/ Mishandling
When handling works on paper hands must be dry and clean. The less handling of works on paper the better. Works on paper should never be rolled. Corners and folds should never be undone by collectors if the paper id brittle- this should be handled by conservators because brittle paper runs the risk of breaking.

Moisture and Humidity
Paper subjected to high humidity or wet conditions is at risk for mold to develop. A common mold that develops is called foxing. Foxing appears as red-brown spotting and can indicate moisture damage.

Pests
Some of the pests that effect paper can be problematic due to eating or releasing bodily fluids. Fly and spider spots are corrosive excretions left behind and can damage works. Other pests that can become an issue to conservators and other protectors of cultural heritage consist of but are not limited to the following:

SILVERFISH (Lepisma saccharina)

BOOKLOUSE (Psocid)