Treatment Options

Male Torso half cleaned	Keeping the surface of Brancusi's Male Torso shiny presents a number of problems. The museum's conservation department considered the following treatment options.
1. No treatment. This is a valid option and one that is often used. However, in the case of this Brancusi sculpture, an untreated surface would eventually oxidize and tarnish. Conservators did not consider non-treatment a valid option because a tarnished, oxidized surface was not the artist's intent.
2. Polish the sculpture on a daily basis. Every time a metal object or sculpture is polished or wiped a very small amount of metal is lost. Over time this loss of metal can result in loss of detail or distortion of the form. Daily cleaning is also not desirable because it is labor intensive.
3. Polish the sculpture on an as-needed basis. This treatment has two problems: 1) the surface of metal oxidizes and becomes dark between cleanings (as indicated above, Brancusi would never have approved of a tarnished sculpture); 2) as with the daily cleaning option, over a long enough period of time significant loss of metal will occur.
4. Apply a protective coating. The conservator can apply a protective coating to prevent oxidation and darkening of the metal. At first this option appears to be ideal. A coating keeps the metal bright and shiny with a minimal amount of labor. However the appearance of coatings on metal can be problematic. Proper selection is crucial. For example, coatings with a glossy, plastic look are to be avoided. Furthermore if the coatings are not applied correctly they can give the sculpture a matte appearance, or if too much is applied a thick, uneven coating may result, possibly with drips.
Conservator Bruce Christman eventually chose this last treatment option, using a nitrocellulose lacquer that provides the most natural-looking metal surface. The lacquer was carefully applied to avoid flaws or defects. This coating has a life expectancy of 20 years, shorter than some acrylic coatings, but sufficient to warrant its use.

Page 1 of 2 | On the next page: The Pedestal for the Sculpture