Suzanne Deal Booth Summer Conservation Research Internship at the Art Institute of Chicago
Opportunity Description:
The Art Institute of Chicago, Department of Conservation & Science, is offering an eight-week research internship with a $5,000 stipend funded through the University of Chicago by a gift from Suzanne Deal Booth.
This internship will help undergraduates increase their knowledge of the field of art conservation, a field at the intersection of the humanities and the physical sciences. During this 8-week internship the intern will undertake a study of watercolor by Paul Cézanne created between 1885 and 1910 from the Art Institute’s collection. The project’s core focus is on materials and process, augmented by a wealth of documentation related to the manufacture of watercolor paints, with a particular focus on French watercolors. Information will be derived from the study of documentary sources from watercolor manufacturers’ archives, technical manuals and journals, suppliers’ catalogues, contemporary industrial literature, and the writings of Cézanne and his contemporary artists. Knowledge of the composition and properties of watercolor paints available to the artist, as derived from these contemporary sources, can help to inform our understanding of his methods and expressive aims, and the condition of such surfaces today. The intern can also prepare reference paint-outs from historical reference watercolor materials. Analysis of the reference watercolors will be carried out at the Art Institute of Chicago in early Fall 2020. The overarching goal is to contribute to new scholarship and to provide the spark for future research and interpretation. The incumbent will be able to deepen her/his knowledge of materials used in art making, as well as have remote and direct access to works of art and conservation and science expertise.
The Department of Conservation & Science at the Art Institute of Chicago is responsible for the maintenance and long-term preservation of the museum’s collection. The department was established in 1956 and was initially devoted to painting conservation. Since then, the department has grown to include staff and facilities dedicated to preserving works on paper, sculpture and objects, textiles, photography, and time-based media. In recent years science has played an increasing role in art conservation, both for devising better conservation treatments and to gain a deeper understanding into the material nature of art objects and of artists' techniques and studio practices. In 2003 the Art Institute of Chicago established a state-of-the-art scientific laboratory equipped with polarized and fluorescence light microscopy, FTIR and Raman microspectroscopies, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, and GC/MS analysis. Conservators and scientists in the department are actively involved in scholarly research related to exhibitions and collections at the AIC.
Research will be undertaken remotely with the option of on-site work if and when the Art Institute of Chicago and the University of Chicago reopen, allowing the use of the analytical facilities, libraries, and other resources at both institutions.
Minimum Qualifications and/or Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicants should be undergraduate students at the University of Chicago pursuing studies in art history, visual arts, chemistry, molecular engineering, or a related discipline in the humanities or physical sciences.
- Previous experience in the cultural heritage field is advantageous, but not necessary.
- Applicants from diverse backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply.
Knowledge or skills gained from the experience:
This internship will help undergraduates increase their knowledge of the field of art conservation, a field at the intersection of the humanities and the physical sciences. The project’s core focus is on materials and process, augmented by a wealth of documentation related to the artist and his studio practice. The overarching goal is to contribute to new scholarship and to provide the spark for future research and interpretation. The incumbent will be able to deepen her/his/their knowledge of materials used in art making, as well as have direct access to works of art and conservation and science expertise.
Application Process:
The application, including letter of interest, resume, and transcript, should be sent as a single pdf to arthistory@uchicago.edu. A separate letter of recommendation should be sent to that address as a PDF directly from the letter writer. For inquiries please contact: Dr. Maria Kokkori (mkokkori@artic.edu). The deadline for application is 12:00pm CDT on Tuesday, May 26, with a start date anticipated to be flexible.