Robert Van Eyck asks if there is any difference between the motives of
dealers, collectors, conservators etc.

For conservators there most certainly is a difference. A conservator's motive
is the preservation and survival of the object and all the information it
embodies. The conservator does not serve the "owner" of the object but the
object itself.  The conservator does not discriminate according to the
monetary value or aesthetic appeal of the object. The conservator must act not
only on behalf of the current viewers of the object but of future generations.
Ruskin said we cannot own the past, a conservator is always aware of this.

This is not intended to be derogatory to the members of any other group
mentioned in this discussion. There have been and continue to be dealers,
collectors, curators and others who have been similarly motivated and have
acted in an exemplary fashion towards items of art or antiquity. Regrettably
there have been many who have acted from less honourable or sustainable
motives, just as there have been restorers who have acted dishonourably.
However, the fundamental business of a dealer is to find items for collectors
(and collectors for items), the fundamental business of the collector is to
acquire a group of objects in accordance with a personal set of parameters.
The curator - hmm, well that can be more variable. Any thoughts ?

Best wishes
Helena Jaeschke (conservator)
[log in to unmask]