An iconic mural painted by an Italian-born, Australian artist has been removed from the walls of Newcastle Museum as part of a large-scale conservation project.
The 1953 painting of post-European settlement in Newcastle features 10 figures, all modelled on artist Virgil Lo Schiavo himself, representing cedar getters, sheep graziers, coal miners, steelmakers and shipbuilders.
The mural has been a prominent part of the Link Gallery since the Museum opened at its current Honeysuckle site in August 2011 and will now be carefully cleaned and examined as part of an effort to preserve and protect Newcastle's history.
Conservators Zahni Blumenthal, Matteo Volonté, and Gianna Puzzo with Newcastle Museum Head of Exhibitions and Cultural Collections, David Hampton examining the Lo Schavio mural.City of Newcastle's Director of Museum, Archives, Libraries and Learning Julie Baird said this important conservation work will mean future generations of Novocastrians can continue to enjoy the Museum's incredible collection.
"Newcastle Museum are proud to be custodians of a historically significant collection of more than 13,500 items, which tell the stories of our city and the people who have shaped it," Ms Baird said.
"This is the first time we've been able to bring conservation work in-house, which means our team can take a very deliberate and long-term look at how we care for Newcastle's history without relying on grant funding.
"This is one of nine items in our collection the Museum is working to conserve during the financial year.
"We've already restored a 1970s-era State Dockyards fire engine, an 1820s-era Henry Dangar map of the Hunter Region, and a piece of fishbelly rail from The Hill, a unique piece of early railway technology from the 1820s that is in fact the oldest piece of Australian railway in any museum's collection across the world.
"Though our ongoing conservation work we can ensure these items are preserved and shared with our community and all those who visit the Museum for generations to come."
Conservator Gianna Puzzo using light to evaluate the Lo Schavio mural.
The Lo Schavio mural was originally commissioned by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia in 1953 and was displayed in their Newcastle branch.
It then made its way to Wallsend Public School, before coming into the possession of the Wallsend BIA, who loaned it to Newcastle Museum for the opening back in 2011. The BIA recently formally donated the mural to the Museum to remain as part of its permanent collection.
Conservation work will include an analysis of the state of the artwork, followed by a detailed and delicate clean, with additional work to be considered pending advice from expert conservators.
