MCI Project Summaries 2008 - Smithsonian Institution

MCI 6169 American Committee Model of the Statue of Liberty by Auguste
Bartholdi
MCI Staff: Carol A. Grissom, Ron H. Cunningham, Judy Watson, R. Jeff Speakman, Mel J.
Wachowiak
This American Committee Model of the statue of Liberty Enlightening the World had
been loaned by the National Park Service to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American
History for display in the exhibition “Communities in a Changing Nation” which opened in
November 2008. This statue was originally intended to be brought to the Museum Conservation
Institute for repair of the figure’s crown prior to exhibition. It was first exhibited at the White
House, however, and the crown was repaired prior to display there. Hence, at the Museum
Conservation Institute treatment was limited to removing old wax from the surface, coating the
surface with microcrystalline wax, and ameliorating fills on the crown. Technical study included
identification of casting techniques, X-radiography, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy of the
metal alloy, and microscopy of paint cross-sections.
American Committee Model, before treatment, front and back views. Photos by Don Hurlbert.
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