Valentine established her conservation practice in 1979 in London. She has recently moved her practice to South Wales but she is happy to arrange inspection of paintings elsewhere and to arrange transport to her studio. She works as a freelance conservator for private clients, museums, the Imperial War Museum and the Museum of London among others, institutions such as Oxford colleges, and art dealers; the work ranging from mediaeval paintings and polychrome sculpture to contemporary paintings.
Her work is to museum standards carrying out both preventative and remedial treatments. This is undertaken in her studio or on site if required. Full conservation reports and photographic documentation are provided. Works of art are fully insured, and she carries professional indemnity. She works with her clients to offer pragmatic solutions to conservation problems.
Valentine also works with conservation scientists to carry out full technical examinations of paintings where this is required. Her field of research is on historical pigments and she is co-author of the Pigment Compendium, a much cited reference work. Furthermore Valentine has experience in the rescue of works of art after fire and flood as well as in war, where she was involved in the immediate treatment of church artifacts during the Balkan conflict. She has lectured on disaster preparedness as well as lecturing on general aspects of conservation.
Valentine is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries (FSA), a Fellow of the International Institute for Conservation (FIIC), and an American Institute for Conservation Professional Associate (PA-AIC).
Large paintings conserved in situ
A project of cleaning and strip lining a painting by Paul Nash, The Menin Road for the Imperial War Museum was filmed by the Museum in time lapse. It can be seen here.
This was also featured in a Sky Arts programme which can be seen here.
Other in situ work has been carried out for Magdalen College Oxford, paintings high up in the dining hall, Royal Automobile Club and the National Museum of the Royal Navy
Dutch Golden Age paintings
Valentine has conserved many paintings from Dutch and Flemish so-called Golden Age of paintings. This includes such artists as Rubens, Honthorst and Ruisdael.
Early British Portraits
Valentine has a particular love of these paintings which are generally painted on wooden panels. Their conservation involves work on the panels themselves as well as the paint layers.
Historical Pigment identification and analysis
Valentine instigated and co-authored the Pigment Compendium. This is a reference work used widely in the identification of historical pigments found on works of art, often for the purpose of determining a painting’s authenticity or an artist’s techniques.
Modern British art
Valentine’s work is not limited to Old Master paintings. She has much experience of working on 20th century art as well.