An important part of the mission of the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art is to care for and preserve the collection for future generations. These three Korean hanging scrolls have recently been conserved by Dr. Chi-sun Park at the JungJae conservation center. Prior to conservation, each of these hanging scrolls had distinctly different condition issues that had prevented them from being safely exhibited. Conservation work was funded by the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage (NRICH) and the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation (OKCHF).

What is a Hanging Scroll?
Simply described, an Asian painting or calligraphy is a thin layer of pigments adhered with animal glue to a flexible support of paper or silk. Typically, silk fabrics chosen to surround the central "image" create a protective and decorative border. These elements are lined with several layers of paper and wheat starch adhesive and are combined to create an overall supporting structure. This integral mounting structure allows a painting to be "opened" for display and "closed" for storage.¹

What is Conservation?
Conservation includes any steps taken to minimize deterioration of any object through time with as little change to the object as possible. These steps can be preventative (controlling light, temperature and humidity) or interventive (cleaning, stabilizing, and repairing or replacing elements).

What is Remounting?
Remounting is defined as the process of detaching, repairing, and reattaching a surface to its support; in the case of a hanging scroll, a painting made of paper or silk is detached from silk borders, and its paper backing is repaired and reattached to new silk borders and fresh paper backing.

Prepared by Sarah Jean Smith, Asian Art Curatorial Assistant

Select an image to the left to view each scroll's condition prior to conservation.

Read the Conserving Treasures brochure

Images above:
Kim Eunho (1892–1979), Folk Dancers Dressed as Buddhist Nuns, 1922, ink and color on silk, gift of General James A. Van Fleet (1988.1.28)
Kim Hongdo (1745–c.1806), Hunting with Falcons, Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910), 18th century, ink and color on silk, gift of General James A. Van Fleet (1988.1.25)
Jang Seung’eop (1843–1897), Scholar in a Garden, Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910), late 19th century, ink and color on silk, gift of General James A. Van Fleet (1988.1.26)

1. Andrew Hare, "Guidelines for the Care of East Asian Paintings: Display, Storage and Handling," The Paper Conservator 30 (2006): 73.

Kim Eun-ho (Korean, 1892-1979)
Folk Dancers Dressed as Buddhist Nuns
1922
Ink and color on silk
With hanger: 9 ft. 3 1/2 in. x 45 1/4 in. (283.2 x 114.9 cm)
Without hanger: 8 ft. 11 in. x 45 1/4 in. (271.8 x 114.9 cm)
Image: 6 ft. 6 1/2 in. x 33 1/2 in. (199.4 x 85.1 cm)
Gift of General James A. Van Fleet
1988.1.28

Mounting Structure
The painting Folk Dancers Dressed as Buddhist Nuns (previous image)by Kim Eunho suffers from problems relating to the mounting structure. While the painting itself is in stable condition, the mounting structure has several major issues that prevent it from being displayed. It is incapable of properly supporting the painting due to the separation of mounting elements and exposure to light.

Ripped Hanging Cord
The center hanging cord has ripped and a new cord needs to be attached to the scroll in order to support the scroll’s weight.

Light Exposure
These blue stripes are where the scroll tie was wrapped around the scroll to keep it closed. The lighter tan areas show where light exposure has caused the silk to fade and lose its brilliance.

Roller Rod Separation
The large wooden roller rod at the bottom of the scroll has become almost completely detached.

Kim Hongdo (Korean, 1745-c. 1806)
Hunting with Falcons
Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), 18th Century
Ink and color on silk
With hanger: 56 3/4 x 22 1/16 in. (144.1 x 56 cm)
Without hanger: 55 1/4 x 22 1/16 in. (140.3 x 56 cm)
Image: 21 5/8 x 15 1/2 in. (54.9 x 39.4 cm)
Gift of General James A. Van Fleet
1988.1.25

Creases and Cracks
Creases and cracks are usually present in older hanging scrolls, such as Hunting with Falcons, and can be a result of a variety of interrelated issues related to construction, wear, and materials. These detail pictures show extreme splitting and breaking across the painting surface. These cracks may have resulted from the adhesives used for mounting becoming stiff over time and causing the silk fibers to lose their flexibility and break. Scrolls are rolled for storage and open for display, and the repetitive action of rolling and unrolling can cause a dry and brittle painting surface to crack.

Jang Seung'eop (Korean, 1843-1897)
Scholar in a Garden
Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), late 19th Century
Ink and color on silk
With hanger: 7 ft. 1 1/4 in. x 22 in. (216.5 x 55.9 cm)
Without hanger: 6 ft. 11 5/8 in. x 22 in. (212.4 x 55.9 cm)
Image: 5 ft. x 5 5/8 in. (152.4 x 13 cm)
Gift of General James A. Van Fleet
1988.1.26

Foxing
Mold and fungi grow as a result of poor environmental conditions, especially high humidity caused by poor air circulation. This can result in damage visible on the front and back of a hanging scroll. The brown spots of mold and fungi visible on this painting are called foxing. The scroll has foxing throughout but it is most visible at the top where there is less pigment.