Conservation and Research Projects
The preservation and advancement of knowledge have been fundamental to the Gallery’s work since the founding gift of artworks that led to its opening in 1864. Equally important, the Gallery’s conservation staff are finding new ways to study the collection, yielding fresh insights about a wide range of objects and the artists that produced them.
You can explore some of our Conservation Department's recent projects below:
Monet Conservation Project
In June 2012 Monet’s Argenteuil Basin with a Single Sailboat was badly damaged following vandalism by a member of the public. Our conservators embarked on an 18-month conservation project
Find out more (PDF)
Perugino Restoration Project
Perugino's The Lamentation over the Dead Christ was recently the focus of an extensive restoration project.
Guercino Research and Conservation Project
The Paintings Conservation Department at the J. Paul Getty Museum embarked on a collaborative conservation treatment and research project centred on one of the National Gallery of Ireland’s masterpieces, Jacob Blessing the Sons of Joseph by Guercino.
Explore the completed project here
The Battle of the Boyne Conservation Project
A major project launched in collaboration with Malahide Castle in 2015.
Find out more (PDF)
Maclise Conservation Project
In 2010 the Conservation Department embarked on an enormous task - the restoration of one of the Gallery's most beloved (and largest!) paintings, The Marriage of Strongbow and Aoife.