In December, our Director, Emé de Vries, was asked by The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands to rescue thirteen Bendel Hydes paintings that had been damaged in private storage.
Bendel Hydes is known as the founding father of Caymanian art and has featured in exhibitions at The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands, the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, the Commonwealth Institute in London, and in the 23rd International Bienal de Sao Paulo in Brazil. His work is also in the private collection of the late Duke of Edinburgh, HRH Prince Philip.
Upon examination of the damaged paintings, thirteen were found to be in urgent need of conservation care. The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands approached Emé de Vries, Director of Minerva Cayman. Having studied fine art and antiquities at the Sorbonne and ICART in Paris and worked as an assistant to a conservator, Emé’s past experience and expertise were critical to the delicate rescue operation.
The project took 4 months and involved neutralising mould that had developed on the artwork, removing dirt before it fused with the paint, photographing all water stains and canvas deformation and writing a condition report for each piece. When completed, the paintings were carefully wrapped in acid-free paper in order to protect them from dust and pollutants.
Emé de Vries, Director of Minerva Cayman said: “Working on this project was a real honour. Bendel Hydes is a quintessential Caymanian artist who has amassed so much success and recognition for the Cayman Islands. It was a fantastic opportunity to be able to examine this private collection at close range – it felt like plunging into his mind, a privileged world of memories and emotions. I am proud I was able to contribute to the preservation of Cayman culture and Caymanian art, which are important for our collective memory and the history of the island.”
Minerva Cayman advises on all matters pertaining to the care and storage of artworks. We also carry out inspections and monitoring services of art collections, whether these are private, corporate or institutional. To speak with one of our Art & Antique advisers, please call us on +(345) 746-9999. Alternatively, email us at contact@minerva.ky.
