FR Review:
Having grown up in a family of art conservators, some might say conservation is in George Schwartz’s blood. His family business was established in Europe before World War II after which the Schwartzes (and their company) migrated to Canada and then to Boca Raton, Florida. George Schwartz has been in the business since 1963. Trained as an electrical engineer, he always had an eye for detail, and most of what he knows he’s learned from experience and his own personal research. We hear that Schwartz is extremely well respected in the industry. He is even the Chair for Conservators in Private Practice at the American Institute for Conservation. In addition to belonging to a number of specialties, he is licensed by state of Florida to do continuing education for insurance professionals.
Schwartz does it all: paper documents, paintings, mural paintings, glass, ceramic objects and even framing and frame restoration. We’re told that it’s tremendously difficult to find a conservator who is able to cover all of these specialties. Schwartz employs two other junior conservators, and conservation is seventy-five percent of his business. Framing is the other twenty-five. He does about half institutional work and half for private collectors. The team at ConservArt also does insurance cleaning, restoration and repair. They boast the Boca Museum, Vizcaya Museu, Lowe Art Museum, Morakami Museum , Art Institute in St. Petersburg, and the Zora Neale Hurston Community Museum as some of their clients. Schwartz quotes a firm price before he takes on a project and that price is based on an hourly rate that is very fair considering the high level of his work and expertise.
Representative Client Comments:
“I must say that it is rare for a restorer to be equally competent in carrying out paper restoration, oil painting restoration and restoration of ornate gilt frames. Having been a collector for the last 14 years and having had the opportunity in the past to use the best restorers in New York City for a variety of problems, I can truly attest that George is much more than their peer. Perhaps the greatest compliment that can be accorded to him is that the curators at the St. Petersburg Museum of Art, where our collection was on exhibition from October 9, 1994 to December 31, 1994, uniformly commented on the very high quality of the state of preservation, both of the paintings and the frames.” “I have no problem whatsoever with respect to him tackling problems with any of our paintings, even the most valuable. Contrary to many restorers, he never does too much and he never does too little. Indeed, he does what is required.” “Considerable research led me to Mr. George Schwartz who practices in Boca Raton. He has been working on the collection for approximately a month now. I have found that his scholarship to be first rate, his scientific knowledge and skills of the highest professional level. Added to this, George has real enthusiasm for his work and the subject matter. His work has been done on a timely basis and I have found that his charges to be extremely fair. I would underscore that he is most agreeable and easy to work with.” “My wife and I were devastated a few months ago when a large ancestral portrait from my wife’s family fell from the wall and sustained severe damage. The glass that had covered it was shattered and the picture was ripped right through in several plces. We were afraid there was no hope, particularly as this 1875 portrait had been done not in oil paints, but in pastels. Then we found Mr. Schwartz. He assured us that he could help, describing in some detail the meticulous steps required, and we left our picture in his hands. Some weeks later we returned to witness a minor miracle. Mr. Schwartz had repaired the tears in the fragile paper backing and restored the surface so masterfully that the former damage is now invisible. I can’t say enough about George Schwartz’ talent, sensitivity and skill. My wife and I are thrilled to have her ancestor back with us, looking as good as ever. We recommend Mr. Schwartz unhesitatingly. His expertise speaks for itself.”
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