A recent article in the Wall Street Journal reported that over $2 billion in fine art will be sold this month at New York City’s major auction houses, including Sotheby’s and Christie’s International. Among the offerings are Pablo Picasso’s “Women of Algiers” and six paintings spanning the career of Impressionist painter Claude Monet.
Of course, owning original artwork created by the masters isn’t the norm for most folks. However, over the decades, many fine works of art have been created in or moved to Chicago where they’re proudly displayed in public and commercial buildings. These works – whether they’re paintings, sculptures, vases, walling hangings, maps, framed historical photos or antiques – often represent tremendous monetary, sentimental, artistic and/or historical value. Unfortunately, they’re susceptible to fire or water damage if a disaster strikes.
If that happens, building owners and facility managers can quickly turn to ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons for professional fire, flood and water damage restoration services and expert fine art and antique restoration. Fine art restoration is a type of conservation treatment, according to the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works, and it specifically refers to an attempt to bring cultural property closer to its original appearance.
When you call ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons, our highly trained restoration technicians will put their best equipment, products and procedures to work immediately. Quick action is needed to minimize damage. For example, depending on the type of fire your building experienced, the resulting smoke and soot can deposit a fine dust or an oily residue, leaving chemicals that will immediately begin to interact with the paint or surface of a valuable object. In disasters involving water, moisture can easily and quickly seep into mats and other framing materials, causing bubbles, bulges or bleeding.
If fine art or antiques are under your care, keep our telephone number (763-376-1110) handy so you can contact us. With the utmost care and efficiency, we’ll professionally restore your valuable items to their appropriate pre-loss condition.