Art Immortalizer

The chance of immortality for a work of art is not wholly measured by the genius of the artist. Many masterpieces have been lost to fame because the materials used in producing them were anything but timeproof. To establish research techniques for increasing the longevity of works of art and the durability of artist materials, Dr. Robert L. Feller '41 was recently appointed to a newly created fellowship sponsored by the National Gallery of Art in association with the Mellon Institute of Pittsburgh. He will direct a long-range program for the purpose of studying the special problems, related to the use of materials, of the painter and sculptor. Why should colors alter with time? Varnish lose its finish? Wood and canvas deteriorate? The answers to these questions are expected to furnish techniques which will add immeasurably to the life span of paintings, and other works of art.

Dr. Feller, who took graduate work at Rutgers in the field of physical-organic chemistry, obtaining his doctorate last year, has always been interested in drawing and painting. According to recent findings of the Mellon Institute, pictures painted a hundred years or more ago are on the whole more durable than those of today. Dr. Feller is especially well qualified for the task of finding remedies for defects in both original and restoration work, and for increasing the availability of knowledge on materials to artists.