Job Vacancies | Conservators at The National Gallery of Ireland
Conservator x 2
The National Gallery of Ireland (‘Gallery’) is Ireland’s major national cultural institution devoted to the collection and care of fine art. Comprising some 16,000 paintings, drawings, watercolours, miniatures, prints, sculpture and decorative arts, the institution’s extensive holdings include masterpieces by many of the most celebrated figures in the history of western European art. In addition, the Gallery houses the most representative collection of historic Irish art. Funded mainly by the State, the Gallery employs more than 140 staff and provides free access to the public 361 days a year. In 2021, the Gallery was a finalist in two categories of the Digital Media Awards – Best in Government & Not for Profit for ‘National Gallery at Home’, and Best Podcast.
Established in 1964 the Conservation Department at the National Gallery of Ireland promotes and develops research and conservation projects through interdisciplinary cooperation with conservation institutes and museums in Ireland and internationally, as well as sharing skills and developing innovative conservation practises and processes.
As part of the Getty Foundation’s Conserving Canvas initiative, Conserving Canvas (Getty Foundation) ,the National Gallery of Ireland conservation department is offering two fixed term contracts, of one year duration, for Conservators with specific interest, experience and expertise on structural treatments of artworks on textile support.
The position offers a unique opportunity to advance conservation knowledge and hands-on skills practice and process by focusing on artworks on textile support from different historical and technical backgrounds: an oil on canvas by Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, “Guercino” (1591-1666), and two collages on textile support by Juan Gris (1887 -1927). The conservators will work in close collaboration and under the supervision of the Gallery’s senior conservators as well as attending seminars and workshops held at the National Gallery of Ireland in collaboration with guest senior conservators from some of the most renowned European conservation institutes.
We aim to enhance international conservation education in both ethical awareness and technical practice to ensure that critical conservation skills needed for care of works on textile support do not disappear. Reporting to the Head of Conservation or nominated deputy, the Conservator will:
- Survey selected works on textile support from the Gallery’s collections
- Carry out structural conservation treatments on selected works on canvas from the Gallery’s collections such as consolidation and repair – lining – de-ling and re-ling
- Carry out traditional and advanced tensioning processes on textile support on works from the Gallery’s collection
- Carry out comparative analyses on structural conservation treatments in the Gallery’s collection of works on textile support
- Carry out scientific analysis and develop further collaboration with technical analysts and scientists
- Develop research and test series on traditional and modern structural treatments techniques
- Convey scientific and technical information to the conservation and scientific communities, and disseminate scientific research to non-technical audiences
- Identify risks and deterioration of works on textile support and refine preventative measures
- Keep and maintain up to date reports on all treatments taken
- Support the Conservation Department in creating and developing the projects’ data cataloguing platform and contribute to the curation of the Gallery’s publication on the projects’ research and treatments
- Support the Conservation Department in creating further educational resources for dissemination, such as getting involved in the creation of online project content and organising project study days and workshops
- Write articles for publication, give professional talks and contribute to the Gallery’s programming in audience engagement
- Supervise the junior conservator working on the project
The successful candidates will have:
- A recognised qualification in Painting Conservation
- A minimum of three years’ experience working on structural conservation techniques and treatments of works with textile support, preferably in a museum environment
- Experience with traditional and/or modern structural conservation techniques of works on textile support
- Excellent organisation and planning skills coupled with an ability to meet deadlines.
- Experience working on collaborative research projects in collaboration with multiple internal and external stakeholders.
- Supervisory/mentoring experience is desirable
- Excellent research and analytical skills with excellent attention to detail
- Excellent writing skills, including publishing experience An ability to work on own initiative while being part of an effective team
- A positive approach to working in the Gallery and demonstrated enthusiasm towards raising awareness about the preservation and conservation activities in a Conservation Department
- A keen interest in working with a range of different museum professionals and collaborating with fellow conservators and colleagues
- Proficiency in MS Office packages and databases
Note: This job description is a guide to broad areas of development and should not be regarded as a comprehensive listing. All employees are required to be compliant with the Gallery screening and security procedures.
Candidates must be eligible to work in Ireland.
Salary: Salary is fixed at €40,000 gross per annum for the duration of the contract. Candidates should note the National Gallery of Ireland complies with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regulations and guidelines on Public Service pay and conditions of employment.
Duration: 1 year fixed term contract
Working hours: Full time, 5 days a week – 37 hours per week (net of breaks). This position is fully onsite.
Closing date for receipt of applications: 20 July 2022
Interviews will be held in August 2022
How to apply: Please upload a cover letter and curriculum vitae. Candidates should note that panels may be formed from which future positions may be filled.
Candidates are required to submit a portfolio with four examples of documented research and structural conservation treatments of works on textile support in PDF Format.
The Senior Conservator position(s) is funded by a grant from the Getty Foundation
The National Gallery of Ireland is an equal opportunities employer