March 20, 2019 (Detroit) — Last week, seniors from Bloomfield Township participated in a live art conservation event at the Detroit Institute of Arts featuring an art conservator restoring a 375-year-old oil painting. The event was part of the DIA’s free “Thursdays at the Museum” programming for seniors.

“Our customers love ‘Thursdays at the Museum’ because it is a way for them to connect with art from across the globe,” said Christine Tvaroha, Bloomfield Township director of senior services. “Trips to the DIA give our customers one-of-a-kind access to history and culture that can’t be found in books, on TV or on the internet.”

The seniors observed an art conservator restoring parts of “Portrait of a Man,” an original painting by Jan Hals that was created in 1644. Seniors also enjoyed a 10-minute talk with conservator Becca Goodman about the multi-phase process of art conservation at the DIA.

Art conservators use their expertise in art and science to examine, document and preserve art. Goodman used a technique known as “inpainting” or adding color to areas missing the original paint.

The Hals oil painting was likely damaged during a cleaning and repair process that took place before the painting arrived at the DIA in the 1930s.

“We are proud to host free programs like ‘Thursdays at the Museum,’ which allow tri-county residents to experience art in unique ways,” said Salvador Salort-Pons, DIA director. “The conservation demonstration gave seniors a behind-the-scenes look at how we preserve our timeless art collection that they can’t experience anywhere else.”

“Thursdays at the Museum” offers special programs like film screenings, lectures, art-making and tours for adults age 55 and older. The program is funded by the tri-county millage, which was passed in 2012 and provides free admission to residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties and free bus transportation for any tri-county group of 25 or more.

To schedule a group tour or field trip, contact the DIA at 313-833-7981.