Talk: ‘The Suspended Life of Objects’

In museums, the works on display almost always represent only a small part of the collection. Temporary exhibitions sometimes offer the opportunity to bring pieces that are not usually on display to the public. Many others, however, remain outside this dynamic, gradually sinking into oblivion and invisibility. As they are not intended for immediate display, they also end up being overlooked in restoration priorities. The deterioration of their condition makes it difficult to interpret the works. In the case of oil painting, degraded supports and pigments and aged varnishes conceal crucial elements such as signatures, maker’s marks, dates or brushstroke characteristics. A silent cycle thus takes hold, deepening the loss of meaning and suspending the life of the objects for years or generations. A recent restoration campaign, linked to the Face a Face exhibition, has enabled the rescue of fifteen works in these circumstances.