MING SMITH

The Better Image Project
Treatment completed Month 2024

Description

While at The Better Image, I had the opportunity to work with many gelatin silver prints by Ming Smith. The first opportunity came in September 2023 to treat four prints in anticipation for an exhibition at a the Glenstone Museum in Maryland. All four prints were semi-glossy, silver gelatin developed-out prints, neutral tone, with unprinted margins and straight edges on fiber-based baryta coated photographic paper. Overall the prints were in good to fair condition, but were in need of surface cleaning, adhesive reduction, consolidation, humidification, and flattening.  Treatments carried out on three of the four prints are noted below. 

Star of Hope
1978, 15 15/16 x 19 15/16 inches 

Condition

This photograph was in fair condition overall. While chemically stable with no stains or signs of discoloration, the paper primary support exhibited delaminating corners, creases throughout, and tears at the top center, bottom left center, and top right edge. There were also pressure-sensitive adhesive tape residues on recto and verso. The left and right edges were cockled and the edges had a tendency to curl upward. Additionally, there was overall surface soiling recto and verso.

Treatment Report

1. Before and after treatment the photographs were documented digitally. These images will remain on file at The Better Image® as part of the permanent treatment record.
   
2. Surface cleaned the print using 50:50 ethanol and water applied with cotton swabs.
3. Removed the adhesive residues using acetone applied with cotton swabs.
   
4. Lightly humidified overall in a chamber, flattened between non-woven polyester sheets, blotters and plateglass weights to reduce the distortions noted. 
5. Consolidated the delaminating corners using wheat starch paste. 
6. Mended edge tears with wheat starch paste and reinforced from the verso with mends of Japanese paper adhered with wheat starch paste.

Before Treatment Photography

BT Images taken by Nancy Reinhold, Conservator

After Treatment Photography

Before Treatment Photography

BT Images taken by Nancy Reinhold, Conservator

After Treatment Photography

Mother and Child 
1977. 15 15/16 x 19 7/8 inches 

Condition

As received, the photograph was in very good condition overall and appeared to be chemically stable with no evidence of staining or discoloration. There are also a number of splatter marks diagonally across the surface that have altered the surface of the gelatin. The paper primary support exhibited handling creases overall with a sharp crease in the top right corner. Additionally, there was a small area of delamination at all corners and bottom margin, a tear in the bottom center margin, white accretion at left center, a circular orange stain in the top right margin, slight silver mirroring in D-max areas, and cracked gelatin where underlying support is damaged. 

Proposed Treatment: Consolidate gelatin and mend primary support as needed. Reduce appearance of splatter marks as possible with local aqueous treatment. Humidify and flatten.

Treatment Report

1. Before and after treatment the photographs were documented digitally. These images will remain on file at The Better Image® as part of the permanent treatment record.
2. Surface cleaned using vinyl erasers and 50:50 ethanol and water applied with cotton swabs.
3. Consolidated the delaminating corners and mended tear using wheat starch paste.
4. Reduced appearance of splatter marks as possible with local aqueous treatment. 
5. Lightly humidified overall in a chamber, flattened between non-woven polyester sheets, blotters and plateglass weights to reduce the distortions noted.

Untitled (Self-Portrait with Camera)
1988. 19 7/8 x 16 inches

Condition

As received, the photograph was in excellent condition overall. It appeared to be chemically stable with no evidence of staining or discoloration. The paper primary support was cockled at top and bottom, and there were gentle planar deformations throughout. A sharp handling crease is located in bottom left. Retouching (original?) is present at bottom right.

Treatment Report

1. Before and after treatment the photographs were documented digitally. These images will remain on file at The Better Image® as part of the permanent treatment record.
   
2. Lightly humidified overall in a chamber, flattened between non-woven polyester sheets, blotters and plateglass weights to reduce the distortions noted. Then placed in a heated press and allowed to cool under pressure.

Before Treatment Photography

BT Images taken by Nancy Reinhold, Conservator

After Treatment Photography