Date of Award
9-2025
Access Control
Open Access
Degree Name
Conservation of Art and Cultural Heritage and Conservation Science and Imaging , M.A./M.S.
Department
Art Conservation Department
Advisor
Theresa J. Smith
Advisor
Gary Albright
Department Home page
https://artconservation.buffalostate.edu/
First Reader
Jiuan Jiuan Chen
Second Reader
Rebecca Ploeger
Third Reader
Patrick Ravines
Abstract
An untitled platinum print signed by Clarence H. White and dated 1904, was brought to SUNY Buffalo State University’s Garman Art Conservation Department for examination and treatment. The print depicts three young boys, likely White’s sons, playing near a creek. The rough surface texture, supported by analysis with X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, confirms the identification of this photograph as a platinum print. The platinum print technique allows for the photographer’s artistic manipulation of the surface and tonality of the final print, and is ideal for photographers, such as White, of the Photo-Secession Movement. This movement promoted photography as a fine art form and moved away from the view of photography as an accurate representation of the world. This platinum print in the Garman Art Conservation Department’s paper lab, is attached to two layers of paper with eight modern plastic adhesive photo corners. The historical significance of these two papers and the stylistic intent of the photographer were investigated, and the papers were determined to be components of the original mount. Therefore, a treatment plan was made after thorough discussion with advisors at Buffalo State and other photograph conservation colleagues from various institutions. The photograph and its mount papers were treated to structurally stabilize and unify all three layers for display.
Recommended Citation
Church, Sophie, "Preserving the Pictorial: Treatment of a Mounted Clarence White Photograph" (2025). Art Conservation Master's Projects. 97.
https://digitalcommons.buffalostate.edu/art_con_projects/97
Archival Statement
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