Immensely grateful today for museum-grade climate control in our studios today. Remember museums and galleries are cool spaces in more ways than one 😎 ❄️

Happy Summer Solstice! This time of year we always think of Stonehenge where we manufactured and installed mounts for the permanent and temporary galleries. The inclusion of Human Skeletons within the display gave us the insight to treat the remains of our ancestors with respect and compassion.

Exhibition Recommendation: Classic Art London opens next week 22nd June - 4th July across St James's. Pick your route through the capital's finest galleries and dealers. What shows are on your list? https://www.classicartlondon.uk/planning-your-trip

Sad news today, David Hockney died at 88. Celebrated worldwide, he leaves an incredible legacy in his work. www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c4...

Our pick of the week is an easily missed display at Hever Castle: Found behind the gift shop in 1/12th scale, crafted by English miniaturist furniture maker John J. Hodgson, are Hever Castle's historic interiors through the ages. https://www.hevercastle.co.uk/visit/things-to-do/miniature-model-house

When this contemporary ceramic vessel arrived at the studio, its future was uncertain. Our client's email simply asked: "Any Miracles Possible?" While restoration is never magic, expertise, patience, and attention to detail can achieve remarkable results. Swipe to see the vessel before and after.

It's lovely to have a project we can talk about while it is happening: Our furniture conservation team has been hard at work on the Courtroom No. 2 dock where Oscar Wilde stood to hear his charges in 1895. Come to the Museum Late on 19th June to find out more: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/museum-lat...

It's #MuseumWeek Today's prompt is #IfObjectsCouldSpeakMW. With the social history of our building there are so many objects we could have chosen but the stories we're yet to uncover about the Dock from Court No.2 might be the most enlightening yet. We'll be sharing more behind the scenes shots soon

Finally a headline we can all get behind: Regularly engaging in the arts makes you younger. That brightened up the Today programme no end. Great reporting from Pallab Ghosh and Prof. Daisy Fancourt https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0nkmx2v Wellcome Trust

First Chiswick Auctions in Feb now Ardingly last week, the Army's Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team are bring kept busy by the antiques and militaria trade. https://www.antiquestradegazette.com/news/2026/police-called-to-ardingly-fair-after-suspected-live-shell-discovered-by-dealer

Wonderful to see Heritage crafts and skills celebrated in The Times last week, it is so important that heritage skills at risk are being highlighted. https://www.thetimes.com/article/527416e1-beab-4ab2-b246-493de0c5860d?shareToken=8b40f2916a264a476932c58dd140e0a2

Our Senior Ceramics Conservator Madeleine has been part of our conservation team for 20 years today! Madeleine has a wealth of expertise which extends to work on stone and enamel with flawless results. Congrats Mads! https://plowden-smith.com/restoration-conservation-services/ceramic-restoration/

We were excited recently to be able to visit conservator & mount makers @plowdensmith.bsky.social who are creating a new base & undertaking specialist conservation treatment of a bronze head of Alexander Fleming sculpted in c.1955 by artist Frank Kovacs in the @rcphysicians.bsky.social collection.

Our exhibition recommendation of the week is Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art, which has just opened at the V & A South Kensington. Tickets for this exhibition are already fully booked for the next month, so be sure to book in advance. https://www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/schiaparelli#articles

Our Easter holiday recommendation is the Britten Pears sculpture park at Snape Maltings in Suffolk. A highlight of the visit is this Barbara Hepworth series of sculptures, The Family of Man (1970).

As Easter is approaching, we want to share a restoration project that we are honoured to have completed for St. Winefride Church in Wimbledon, not far from our studios. This outdoor wooden crucifix is situated atop the church's WWI memorial, tiled forecourt, and surrounding mound.

Happy Easter break!🐇🐣 Please note that our offices, studios, and workshops will be closed for Easter holidays on Good Friday and on Easter Monday, 3rd April - 6th April.

Spanish painter and printmaker Francisco Goya was born on this day in 1746. Goya's work embodies the Romanticism through which he reflected political turmoil. A Picnic, 1785-90 is currently on display in The National Gallery. https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/francisco-de-goya-a-picnic

Born on this day in 1853, Vincent Van Gogh is among the most famous figures in the history of Post-Impressionist art. His renowned Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear is currently on display at The Courtauld Gallery. https://courtauld.ac.uk/highlights/self-portrait-with-bandaged-ear/

Rose Wylie has become the first female painter to have a solo exhibition in the main galleries of the Royal Academy. The exhibition is open until 19th April. https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibition/rose-wylie?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23619667838&gbraid=0AAAAADpkcW1_wKphlBYvcVO-hvm_BzA0K

Our exhibition recommendation of the week is Eduardo Paolozzi's pop art showcase, General Dynamic F.U.N, now on display at the Usher Gallery. The exhibition is free to visit, full of colour, and open until 7 June 2026. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg7el123vn9o

After spending decades overlooked and forgotten in the museum's attic, Georges de La Tour's 17th century painting The Dice Players has finally returned to the spotlight. The artwork went back on display this week at Preston Park Museum in Stockton. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyx4dd0ej7o

A new Keith Haring exhibit has opened at the Moco Museum, but where are his iconic vibrant colours? Thirty of his black-and-white drawings are now on view. The exhibit will be open through June 2026. Access the link below to learn more: https://www.mocomuseum.com/news/london/keith-haring-exhibition/

Born on this day in 1599, Anthony van Dyck was the most important Flemish painter of the 1600s and is celebrated for his mythological pictures. Cupid and Psyche, 1640, accompanied by his other works, is on display at The National Gallery. https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/artists/anthony-van-dyck

Japanese contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama was born on this day in 1929. Kusama's solo exhibition is no longer on view in London, but her infinity mirror room installations are now on display at the Museum Ludwig until August 2, 2026. https://www.museum-ludwig.de/en/home/exhibitions/yayoi-kusama

Will street art become the historic works of the future? Community members of Stanley, County Durham, have claimed that the new public art in their town has brightened the area and brought some 'much needed vibrancy.' Read more below: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgrz7rgx852o

On international Happiness Day, here is a reminder that art is more than its commercial value. Explore more about the impact of art on our wellbeing: https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/03/13/not-just-dollars-euros-and-pounds-art-has-deep-value-for-wellbeing

Good news for the art world: after two consecutive years of decline, the global art market is showing signs of recovery. See the following Art Basel and UBS Art Market Report for more information: https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/03/12/art-basel-ubs-art-market-report-2025-four-percent-growth

Following 2 years of study, researchers at the Rijksmuseum have demonstrated that the painting Vision of Zacharias in the Temple (1633) is a Rembrandt. The museum found that the paints, technique and wooden panel all confirm the date and authenticity. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Polished steel surfaces, incorporation of industrial elements, choosing welding over casting. These elements and more from David Smith's work all foreshadowed styles recognisable in sculpture today. www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks... #ArtistBirthday #Sculpture

Explore Tracey Emin's raw approach to artistic exploration in her exhibition 'A Second Life,' at Tate Modern. This exhibition showcases Emin's standout works, as well as projects never exhibited before, that challenge artistic boundaries. https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/tracey-emin

Take a break from the day and stop by the V&A to see Dr Claire Lemesle-Joly's Lunchtime Lecture, which will focus on the influence of animals and animal imagery in the museum's collections. 5th March 2026, 13.00 - 14.00 https://www.vam.ac.uk/event/1pXr1M41Jq9/lunchtime-lecture-5-march-2026

Searching for a deeper dive into the Theatre Picasso exhibition currently open at Tate Modern? Join writer and exhibition co-curator Enrique Fuenteblanca for an exploration of Picasso's 'The Three Dancers.' https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/theatre-picasso/theatre-picasso-slow-looking

An exhibition tip not far from our studios, Alastair Gordon, artist in residence at the Wimbledon Museum, reimagines the treasures of the Museum in exquisitely detailed paintings. Objects of Enchantment until 29th March. https://wimbledonsociety.org.uk/museum/

How much does an artist's style change over time? These three Renoir works show distinctly varied approaches of the famous impressionist born this day in 1841: A Road in Louveciennes, 1870 Sea & Cliffs, 1885 In the Meadow, 1888-1892 All Images are from the Met Museum collection.

Although chrome yellow pigments initially provide a bright colour, unfortunately they fade and darken over time. The Van Gogh Museum therefore now displays their painting under relatively low lighting. https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/02/20/yellow-van-goghs-favourite-colour

Silver has been prized for millennia. Yet throughout history, vast quantities of historic silverware has been lost. Find out how the volatility of silver pricing can put historic craftsmanship at risk. https://plowden-smith.com/the-rising-price-of-silver-a-conservation-view-on-historic-silverware/

Don't keep your medal in a sock. Our bespoke mounts are not just for artworks. We've mounted tennis rackets, medals, wine bottles, F1 Cars & more. If you have a treasured trophy or a whole collection, treat it to a bespoke mount https://plowden-smith.com/museum-services/mount-making/ #WinterOlympics

Exhibition Recommendation Gwen John:Strange Beauties on until 28 June after which it will tour internationally. Creative Director Jonathan Anderson has collaborated with Cardiff National Museum, creating a series of cornettes shown with the exhibition https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqj2ny0x7g7o

Contemporary Artist Gerhard Richter was born this day in 1932. The 94-year-old is currently the subject of a major retrospective at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris. https://www.fondationlouisvuitton.fr/en/events/gerhard-richter-exhibition

Waldemar JANUSZCZAK has spotted the rise of spookiness in art before and has done so again with Hoi Polloi, at the Brown Collection, London until Aug 8 https://www.thetimes.com/article/79dfd101-99ae-4336-8cbe-ea0e00ea7bc9?shareToken=3a4d614ac7574a311cbd6391dbb9c2cb

We are delighted to be showing at the Listed Property Show, Stand C19 we have live demos from our furniture department and heaps of info on how we can help to preserve your historic interior woodwork, stone, lighting and artworks. https://www.lpoc.co.uk/the-listed-property-show-london/

So pleased to see this! Martin Froy’s work is so fantastic. I’ve seen his murals @belgradetheatre.bsky.social #Coventry Just stunningly beautiful! @aaronjlaw.bsky.social

Congratulations to Morley College London on the official re-opening of the Emma Cons Hall. We preserved the two 58-foot-long Martin Froy murals which run the full length of the the hall and will accompany Morley students' performances and rehearsals into the future.

Beryl Cook: Pride & Joy opens at The Box, Plymouth, on Saturday. Rachell Campbell-Johnston explains why her work deserves a closer look in The Times & Sunday Times https://www.thetimes.com/article/0528186d-5712-48cc-a499-c02c6d70608f?shareToken=c8976995775ef8038324d0155826ca8a

What exhibitions are on your radar? This show at the British Museum is now on our must see list thanks to JANUSZCZAK for featuring it in The Times & Sunday Times https://www.thetimes.com/article/175e431f-8bbe-4677-a344-659433da22ea?shareToken=0c7deddb1f5b0c2e7800e305b4ed53b2

Tune in to the latest Waldy & Bendy podcast focussed on @bendorgrosvenor.bsky.social revealing the secrets of Holbein's The Ambassadors. A really refreshing change of format to a deep dive into a well known masterpiece. zczfilms.com/podcasts/sea... #ArtHistory

"If Constable had painted still lifes while Turner did portraits we would not have needed to pitch one against the other..." Waldemar proclaims Turner triumphant, do you agree? https://www.thetimes.com/article/7fb0d4cf-bfd1-4fa7-9704-6ba805c7ed1b?shareToken=dbdf232cbc2e2a25081331ff1cf4c722

Did hosting leave your furniture in need of some TLC? Removing stains and ring marks, followed by a good professional wax can transform a table, sideboard or console. We can breathe new life into period or contemporary pieces. https://plowden-smith.com/furniture-restoration-london/

Gustave Doré Born this day in 1832 is famous for his engravings illustrating classic literature such as Paradise Lost with tempestuous skies, angelic and demonic figures. Doré employed teams of engravers and block cutters to turn his illustrations into printmaking plates. #ArtHistory #Printmaking