Charles Green Shaw

Our recent conservation project features the works of Charles Green Shaw, a pivotal figure in early American abstract art. Shaw’s paintings are featured in major collections of American art, renowned for their distinct modernist elements. Shaw's distinctive artistic language is marked by varied textures, innovative use of shapes, and bold, defined colors. 

In this comprehensive conservation project, we treated a total of 34 of Shaw’s works, including oil paintings on canvas and canvas board of various sizes. Our primary objective was to restore the true colors and vibrant palette that Shaw developed during this period. This process involved inpainting missing paint layers, addressing abrasions, and correcting discolored passages. We carefully matched the original hues to ensure the integrity and brilliance of Shaw’s vision. Each artwork underwent thorough cleaning to remove accumulated surface grime and dirt, revealing the luminous quality of Shaw’s compositions. For some pieces, structural instability necessitated local consolidation to preserve the integrity of the paintings.