Calm on the Humber is one of the paintings to be conserved

Appointment of conservation specialists to conserve maritime paintings

A painting and conservation company will conserve a number of paintings from the collection at the Hull Maritime Museum as part of the Hull Maritime project.

A decision record confirms the appointment of the Conservation Department of the University of Lincoln.

Twelve maritime paintings have been identified following a survey of 400 paintings assessing their condition and prioritise those most in need for treatment. Now, the selected paintings will be carefully packed and transported to Lincoln Conservation laboratory at the University of Lincoln, to receive specialist conservation treatments to ensure they are in shipshape condition for when they go back on display within the refurbished museum and new displays.

Works including two large oil paintings, Calm on the Humber (c.1868) by Henry Redmore and the HMS Britannia and units of the Fleet off Spithead by John Ward (1847), will be removed from the museum’s main stairwell using specialist equipment.

The HMS Britannia will be removed from the stairwell of the museum

The appointed ICON accredited specialists will carry out surface cleaning, removal of a number of layers including dust, dirt and varnish using conservation grade materials, repair extensive tears and fill in losses to the paint layers.

Councillor Daren Hale, Portfolio Holder for Economic Investment, Regeneration and Planning, Land and Property, said: “Conserving maritime paintings requires real skill and expertise and without this TLC they are at risk of serious deterioration. Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the council, these paintings will be conserved to protect the future of these treasured artworks.”

Rhiannon Clarricoates, Conservator, said: “The Lincoln Conservation team is delighted to have been awarded this contract and to be given the opportunity to be involved in this wonderful project, particularly given our research interest in maritime heritage.

“It is thrilling to be involved in the wider regeneration of Hull, and we look forward to showcasing this project and our experiences with the people of Hull and to students across the region.”

The Hull Maritime project, funded by Hull City Council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, will see exciting changes at the Grade II* Hull Maritime Museum, the Dock Office Chambers, the North End Shipyard and two historic vessels, the Arctic Corsair and Spurn Lightship.

Gaia by Luke Jerram. Picture: Natural Environment Research Council
CCTV footage of fly-tipping in St Georges Road, Hull, for which a woman received a £400 fixed penalty notice.