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Background:
Maria Pukownik has thirty seven years of experience in conservation of fine art and paper after receiving formal graduate and post graduate training from leading European conservation centers. Her professional career includes 10 years as chief conservator at The State Museum and Regional Historical Society Museum in Plock, Poland, private practice in Poland and Italy and 6 years as paper conservator in New England.
Currently Mrs. Pukownik is the proprietor of an art conservation laboratory near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; providing comprehensive conservation services to institutions, private collectors and leading dealers in early American art.
Mrs. Pukownik specializes in works of art on paper, and is also extensively trained and experienced in the complete treatment of paintings. She is also skilled in cleaning, seamless repairs, reconstructions, painting in all traditional techniques, book repair and bookbinding.


Before and After


Education and Experience:

- 2007 35th Annual AIC meeting in Richmond, VA
- 2006 34th Annual AIC meeting in Providence, RI
- 2005 33rd Annual AIC meeting in Minneapolis, Mn
- October 2002 Travel to China, visiting artist studios and calligraphy workshops
- June 2002 Attending Conference and lectures on biodeterioration of art, in New York City.
- June 2000 Annual AIC meeting in Philadelphia, Pa.
- June 1998 Annual AIC meeting in Arlington, Va.
- June 1993 Annual AIC meeting in Denver, Co.
- June 1991 Conservation of modern paintings. Course taught at Conservation Analytical Laboratory, Smithsonian Institution.
- October 1990 Enzymes used in art conservation. Course taught at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
- March 1985 - March 1986 Professional exchange (visiting conservator) at major conservation centers in Rome and Florence, Italy.
- Visits to several conservation sites including Sistine Chapel.


Before and After

1968-1974

- M.S. in Conservation of Artistic and Historic Objects, graduate degree in Paper and Leather from Conservation Institute at the University of Nicholas Copernicus in Torun, Poland.
- Major courses include art history, technology of old masters' works, conservation of easel painting, studio art, printmaking.
- Conservation of murals and stone objects, technology of paper and leather.
- Conservation of paper and leather, chemistry, microbiology and other science courses.

November 1991 to present

- Fine art and paper conservator in private practice. Studio in Orrtanna, Pa and Gettysburg, Pa.
- Major works include collections of Civil War photographs, Currier & Ives lithographs, prints and manuscripts, early watercolors and portraits on canvas.
- Extensive work on Pennsylvania German Fraktur certificates: earliest printed taufscheins and hand drawn and decorated artifacts. Treatment including: dismounting from wooden blanket chest or other mounts, reconstructing and restoration of design (ref. Klaus Stopp’s catalogue).

June 1986 - October 1991
- Paper conservator at Joseph J. Marotti Co. Inc., Conservation Laboratory in Milton, Vermont.
- Independent and team work on early American records, manuscripts, historical prints, archival artifacts on paper and parchment, works of art on paper, wall maps, oil paintings and others.

January 1982 - March 1985

- Chief conservator at the Regional Historical Society Museum - Library in Plock, Poland.
- In charge of care and treatment of large collection of rare books, manuscripts, prints and paintings.
- Private practice as painting conservator.

September 1974 - December 1981

- Head of Conservation Department at the state Museum of Art Nouveau, Plock, Poland.
- Responsibilities included care for Museum's collection of works on paper as well as paintings and objects.
- Private practice


Before and After
 
Copyright © MP Fine Art and Paper Conservation 2003 - 2011