Salt Rock’s Lucy Blumenthal an internationally rated art restoration expert
She has worked on artworks by artists such Irma Stern, Pierneef and Alexis Preller, and focuses on contemporary art from the 1920s to present.
Few art “doctors” are better equipped and skilled than Lucy Blumenthal to ensure one’s fine art remains in pristine condition.
Priceless pieces of fine art don’t remain in museum quality condition forever, and when these need to be touched up, restored or assessed, the corporate sector, museums and private collectors call on Salt Rock resident Lucy to do the job.
The mother of two daughters undertakes painting conservation and restoration to the highest international museum standards, and shared with the Courier what it takes to do just that.
Armed with qualifications in arts from Wits University and Northumbria University in the United Kingdom, Lucy has worked on some of South Africa’s most valuable art pieces, as well as those from other countries.
It is not unsual for her to be flown overseas to assess artworks and consult with international private collectors.
“One might imagine that all I do is sit at an easel, but that is not the case,” she said, highlighting that art conservation and restoration entail much more.
From fixing tears in priceless artworks to touching up pieces to the highest international standards, Lucy on average works on ten or so pieces at a time and has even restored paintings from Dublin Castle, The Queen’s Chapel Savoy, Westminster Castle and more.
An active member of the South African Preservation and Conservation Organisation, her clients have included the Durban Art Gallery, Tatham Art Gallery and reputable framers, auctioneers, insurance companies and private collectors.
When not restoring pieces literally fiber by fiber, the International Council of Museums’ vetted lady helps clients manage and assess their collections.
“It’s a lot of work and there are strict deadlines, but since moving to the coast from Johannesburg earlier this year I have managed to find more balance in my life,” she said, adding that what sparked her interest in the line of work was her love for fixing things.
“Every piece is a different challenge which requires a different approach.”
Lucy has worked on artworks by artists such Irma Stern, Pierneef and Alexis Preller, and focuses on contemporary art from the 1920s to present.
In one of her assignments, restoring a piece by Bertha Everard, Lucy discovered a painting hidden beneath a layer of white paint on the back of a canvass. While images of it were captured, the collector and owner of the piece opted to have it removed.
Of all the pieces she’s worked on and fell in love with, the woman who breathes life back into paintings said one artist always grabs her eye more than others – Irma Stern, a major South African artist who achieved international recognition.
“It’s the richness of her paintings and the clever application of paint that I love the most,” Lucy said.
When not in her makeshift studio while her new home is being built, Lucy enjoys running with the Dolphin Coast Striders Club and is also returning to painting after roughly 25 years.
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