Barnes stores works in preparation for move

Among them are Henri Rousseau’s Scout “Attacked By A Tiger,” a Blue-Period Picasso, some Modiglianis and of course several Renoirs. The paintings and objects will not be seen again in public until the opening of the Foundation’s new home on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

The Barnes Foundation in Lower Merion will permanently close five of its galleries in January. The museum needs space to examine all of its 3,000 artworks to prepare them for the move to Center City in 2011. About 800 works will drop from public view.

Listen:
[audio: 091215pcbarnes.mp3]

Among them are Henri Rousseau’s Scout Attacked By A Tiger, a Blue-Period Picasso, some Modiglianis and of course several Renoirs. The paintings and objects will not be seen again in public until the opening of the Foundation’s new home on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

The head of conservation is Barbara Buckley. She says her main concern now is making sure each item survives the trip downtown.

Buckley: For example – the frames; there’s old gessom which is sort of like plaster coated on top of wood support. As a frame ages that becomes unstable. Many of the paintings there are areas that become unstable – locally applying adhesive to paint layer, re-attach to canvas.

If you want to see the works one more time before the Jan. 3 closing of the upper-floor galleries, the Barnes will be open extra hours around the Christmas and New Year holiday.