Blair Bailey Schwartz is the Associate Paintings Conservator at the Worcester Art Museum in Massachusetts, USA. After obtaining two B.A. degrees in Art History and History from American University in Washington, D.C., she graduated with distinction from the Northumbria University M.A. in the Conservation of Fine Art- Easel Paintings program. Most recently, Blair was a Painting Conservator at ArtCare Conservation in their NYC studio. She led the studio's work on 65 murals at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel- New York City while also completing treatments on other murals and easel paintings. Previous museum positions include an Andrew W. Mellon Fellowship in Painting Conservation at the Detroit Institute of Arts, a fellowship at The Ringling (Sarasota, FL), and internships at the National Gallery of Ireland and various Smithsonian Institution branches.
Blair focuses on researching and treating Old Master paintings (1400-1900), while also having treated modern and contemporary paintings. She has internationally presented technical examinations and treatments including complex treatments on paintings by Titian and Artemisia Gentileschi. Additionally, Blair has authored and published three chapters on the painting techniques of Pieter Bruegel the Elder, as well as the preparatory methods and painting technique of Andrea Sacchi.
Blair sub-specializes in the structural treatment for paintings on canvas and panel, particularly those with previous treatments such as failing lining or cradling. Well versed in traditional lining and panel join methods, she also executes contemporary thread to thread tear mending, strip lining, lining reversal, and cradle modification as appropriate to the painting's individual needs. She has extensively researched the use of Aquazol (poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline aka PEOX) as a novel lining adhesive. Blair is available to execute structural treatments for other conservators. As seen in her previous projects, she has a passion for public outreach and enjoys sharing conservation projects through interviews, lectures, blog posts, and social media.
Blair is a peer-reviewed Professional Member of the American Institute for Conservation and her work meets their Code of Ethics.