Obituary: Caroline Villers 

Caroline Villers was born on July 12, 1948. She died of a brain tumour on
December 24, 2004, aged 56.
With a background in modern history, she took a master in the history of art
at Courtauld Institute of Art in 1972, followed by a diploma in the
conservation of easel paintings in 1975. After a year as assistant curator
of prints and drawings at the London Museum, she returned to the Courtauld
as technical assistant in the department of conservation and technology,
then as lecturer, senior lecturer, and finally as director of the
department. Caroline led numerous Courtauld program students as well as PhD
students to their degree and simultaneously she was involved in numerous
projects and research programmes at the institute and beyond.
Over the years Caroline published a number of highly important papers and
books either alone or in collaboration with colleagues or students at the
Courtauld. Conference papers and books spanning from fundamental research
into materials, practical treatment techniques to technical art history
carry her name. Caroline also took up the important task of collecting,
editing and publishing the work of Gerry Hedley and her most recent volume
was Lining Paintings: Papers from the Greenwich Conference on Comparative
Lining Techniques (2003). These publications were natural steps in line with
her general understanding that it was important to record and publish
information about present and recent techniques and conservation-restoration
treatments. This would aid contemporary and future generations understanding
current principles and line of thought employed to appreciate and keep the
past for the future.

Caroline Villers was continuously involved in national and international
collaboration. She was a fellow of the International Institute for the
Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works of Art (IIC), a trustee and
board member of the Textile Conservation Centre, vice-chairman of the
International Council of Museums Conservation Committee (ICOM-CC). These and
more organizations benefited over the years from her enthusiasm and talent
to make people work together.

For ICOM-CC, the sudden loss of Caroline is devastating. At the Lyon 1999
Triennial Meeting Caroline was voted into the Directory Board and took up
the task of vice-chair. Not only was Caroline full heartedly involved in
ICOM-CC for many years, actively participating in Triennial Meetings, and
presented papers in the Preprints, but she was also deeply involved and one
of the leading professionals in the selection process and publication of the
2002 and the forthcoming 2005 Preprints. Caroline on behalf of ICOM-CC was
leading the negotiating for the possible collaboration with IIC for a joint
international conference in 2008. Her commitment to ICOM-CC was immense and
passionate and she was a great intellectual and personal support for the
Directory Board and two successive Chairs. 

Caroline was a rare, outstanding and loving person. She will be deeply
missed by everyone in the conservation field - especially in the ICOM-CC's
multidisciplinary network, something exceptionally important to her.

					* * *

A thanksgiving service for the life and work of Caroline Villers will be
held at the church of St Clement Danes, Strand, London, on Friday April 22
at 5;00 pm. This will be followed by a reception at the Courtauld Institute
Gallery nearby at 6:30.

					* * *

ICOM-CC Directory Board

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Change ICOM-L subscription options, unsubscribe, and search the
archives at:  http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/icom-l.html