Along with research, the preservation and conservation of the collection’s holdings are among the most important tasks of the Wilhelm-Hack-Museum. The responsibilities of the modern museum conservator focuses on preventative and conservational measurements, the primary goal of which is to prevent (further) damage to works of art.
Exhibition, storage and transportation conditions in addition to handling are important factors that greatly affect the conservation status of a work of art. The necessary parameters in this connection are decided upon by the conservators based on their expertise and adopted to fit the requirements of each work of art. Museum conservators also appraise the conditions and carry out technical examinations of art works.
The technical examination of objects in the collection makes up one of the most exiting fields of work. It provides information concerning the material structure of an artwork as well as important insights about work processes, material changes, modifications and earlier restorations. Such facts can supply important clues concerning date and geographical locations of an artwork in addition to its original context as well as possible.
In connection with exhibitions, conservators determine the conditions under which artworks are lent to other institutions, how they are to be handled, transported and displayed and also document their states of preservation. The insights gained during restoration measures have also been included in the museum catalogues of the Wilhelm-Hack-Museum, thus making them available to a wider audience.