MetCollects—Episode 6 / 2015: Michael Gallagher on 'Everhard Jabach and His Family'

"What does it take to revive a masterwork?" Michael Gallagher on conserving Charles Le Brun's Everhard Jabach and His Family

Michael Gallagher is Sherman Fairchild Chairman of Paintings Conservation

Charles Le Brun (French, 1619–1690). Everhard Jabach (1618–1695) and His Family, ca. 1660. Oil on canvas; 110 1/4 x 129 1/8 in. (280 x 328 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Purchase, Mrs. Charles Wrightsman Gift, in honor of Keith Christiansen, 2014 (2014.250)

MetCollects introduces highlights of works of art recently acquired by the Met through gifts and purchases. Discover a new work each month.

Credits

Director: Christopher Noey
Producer and Editor: Kate Farrell
Camera: Sarah Cowan, Kate Farrell, Lisa Rifkind
Design: Natasha Mileshina
Music: Austin Fisher

Explore more on MetMedia:

[oldfrend]

whoever folded back the top way back when, that was a monstrous thing to do.
amazing how the new varnish brought out the colors.

[pasquino]

Its a great pity the Met videos on Youtube are so short. There must be so many guest speakers - specialists and academics - at the Met? Its a pity more of them aren't uploaded.

[duantorruellas]

The colors are vibrant and the figures sit in space with air all around them. Very nice

[Accio_Eloise]

To anyone who loves paint conservation I would absolutely 100% recommend watching the channel Baumgartner Restoration. He does fantastic narrated restoration videos. Thoroughly enjoyable. X

[hitendrabhavsar]

WONDERFULL AND CAREFULLY AMAZING JOB .

[ArtConservators]

This must have been an especially difficult endeavor given the way the canvas was stretched in the past. Shoutout to the team for handling it well, good job!

[hackneysaregreat]

Great job!
I wonder how many hours the artist would have needed to paint it...

[casst]

wow..incredible restoration and talent!

[vickystevenson]

Wonderful just beautiful done...great job well done...

[nightjarflying]

*The Met, NYC:* Informative 5-min video with Michael Gallagher on conserving *_Everhard Jabach and His Family_* by *Charles Le Brun*

[brightlight]

At the better to show a full picture of the painting for seconds .

[michaellynch]

Dr. Bruce Banner hiding in plain sight at 4:18

[jasonluong]

I don't understand the rolling part. What does that accomplish?

[williamschlenger]

Great work but I want to know, how did they work on this without modern technology? Beautiful colors &sets it not seen today..Yes I'm an artist😊

[josiptumapa]

Literally a massive undertaking.... this work makes my heart stop...😍 plus the restoration!!!!
You almost don’t see the flaws...

[johnaq]

Marvelous masterpiece; except for this horrible square-toed shoe at 4:33. I can't believe there's people still using those ugly shoes to this day.

[jessievalentine]

I used to love going to the met. But it feels lately like I'm not wanted there. Tehe ticket sellers are rude. The guards are still very nice but I don't know. The magic is gone.