I have worked as a paper conservator-restorer since 1981, and was accredited by Icon in 2000. I have extensive experience of working for major public collections of prints and drawings, as well as for other public and private collections and individuals in the UK, Austria and Belgium, notably for the Albertina, Vienna, and the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool.
My current studio in west London specialises in the conservation and restoration of prints, drawings and watercolours from the sixteenth century to contemporary art. Works treated also include pastels, collages, tracing papers, posters, maps and archival material. The studio works for museums and collections, as well as fine art dealers and private owners.
Condition reports for loans can be undertaken and advice given on the storage of collections, and I can supply mounting and framing to conservation standards.
Member of :
- BAPH: The British Association of Paper Historians:
- IADA: Internationale Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Archiv-, Bibliotheks-, und Graphikrestauratoren
- IPCG: Independent Paper Conservators’ Group (committee member)
- WHS: Wallpaper History Society
Range of works treated
Works of Art on Paper: western art , 16th century to contemporary:
Works of Art on Paper: Japanese
These include:
Prints and drawings;
Watercolours, pastels, oils on paper; collages;
Documents, posters, maps and archival materials; parchment.
Other services
Conservation mounts and refitting into frames
Preventative conservation: reports and advice
“Before” & “after”
Biography
Maria Vilaincour Baker ACR
Professional experience
2006 – present: London-based, independent studio: working for collections, art dealers, and individual owners.
2002 – 2006: Vienna, Austria: Conservation Department of the Albertina, Austria’s national collection of prints and drawings;
1993 – 2002: 1993 –1996: Brussels, Belgium: established own conservation studio at Conservart, a group of private studios; 1996 –2002: Canterbury, UK: transferred own studio back to the UK;
1990 –1993: London: (after family career break) studio assistant for Penny Jenkins ACR, private conservator
1981 –1983: Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, UK: established first paper conservation and mounting and framing studio at the Gallery.
Training / Accreditation
2000: Accreditation awarded by the Institute of Paper Conservation, now ICON
1978-81 Camberwell School of Art and Crafts: 3-year course: practical and theoretical aspects of paper conservation: paper making, paper chemistry, technical art history especially print-making, practical conservation treatments. Certificate in Paper Conservation, with Credit: July 1980; Diploma in Print and Drawing Conservation, with Distinction: July 1981.
Client testimonials
I initially contacted Maria through the Icon search tool, recognising that her extensive experience with Dürer’s works on paper at the Albertina aligned perfectly with our needs. She brings a high level of professionalism and meticulous attention to detail, clearly reflected in the outstanding quality of her work. Her condition and treatment reports are thorough and precise. Following the success of that first project, Maria has continued to work regularly with our collection of antique and contemporary watercolours and drawings, consistently delivering exceptional results.
Dr Caterina Badan
Curator, The Schroder Collection
I have dealt with Maria in relation to several works in my collection; by artists including David Hockney and Duncan Grant. I find Maria easy to deal with, extremely professional and highly knowledgeable. Maria's extensive experience of conservation is evident in the way that she addresses and improves issues - potential, as well as current - not just in the works themselves, but that relate to the different elements of their mounting and framing.
Rob Kemp
Private collector