Laura Hinde

Career summary

I joined the Gallery in 2010 following my graduation from The Courtauld Institute of Art where I completed my post graduate diploma in Easel Painting Conservation. During my three years’ formal training in painting conservation I undertook placements at English Heritage, Liverpool Museums and Manchester City Art Galleries, the latter with the support of the Association of Art Historians’ Voluntary Work Fund. I have also worked for private paintings conservation studios in London and Bristol.  I completed my undergraduate degree in Art History and Italian in 2004 at the University of Leeds.

Areas of interest / research

My published research applies material science to the degradation of artists’ media that accounts for efflorescence and whitening of modern paintings. Using established analytical methods such as cross-section paint analysis, scanning electron microscopy and scientific theory I was able to explain surface changes that had been noted on twentieth-century paintings in a historic house. My research clearly revealed how modern paintings can be affected by changes in environmental conditions.

I am currently researching methods used to protect canvas paintings as alternatives to established conservation interventions such as lining. This involves testing materials such as polyesters, acid free card, adhesives and foamcore boards to develop an appropriate method for non-contact and removable solid supports for canvas paintings.

Details of books/publications relating to your work on British portraiture

‘Characterisation of Surface Whitening in Twentieth-century European Paintings at Dudmaston Hall, United Kingdom’,  with Burnstock, A., de Groot, S., and van den Berg, K. J., published by ICOM-CC International Council of Museums Conservation Committee 16th Triennial Conference, Lisbon, 2011.