Columbia University, New York, New York

The Alma Mater sculpture that sits on the steps of Columbia University’s Low Memorial Library was designed by sculptor Daniel Chester French in 1901 and formally unveiled in the fall of 1903. The statue is of a seated female figure with both arms extended. Conservation Solutions Inc. (CSI) was awarded the contract to clean, repair, and re-point the Milford Pink Granite and Rosso Antico Marble portions of the monument and to treat the bronze sculpture.

The sculpture was in relatively good condition thanks to annual maintenance treatments executed by university personnel. However, a pigmented wax coating that had been applied during an earlier conservation effort had imposed an inappropriately dark coloration on the statue, obscuring its original patina. In addition, the base of the statue suffered from patches of biological growth and atmospheric soiling. A handful of areas had breaks or cracks in the stone and several previous fills had failed.

Scaffolding was erected to allow better access to the statue and to enable work on the monument. The marble and granite surfaces were then cleaned of biological growth and atmospheric soiling using an anti-microbial solution and highly-controlled micro-abrasive cleaning. Stone repairs, crack injection, and all pointing on the monument were performed using Jahn Restoration mortars and grouts. In addition, dutchman repairs were performed on the granite and marble bases.

Work on the actual statue began with the removal of the existing coating, using a portable steam cleaner. A solvent-based paint stripper was used to remove the remaining wax residue. Once loose corrosion had been removed and the sculpture was washed, the figure was carefully inspected to identify any original gilding or subsequent aged patina. The bronze sculpture was then spot-patinated to reduce the contrast between the areas of light green and black corrosion. The sculpture also received a protective barrier coating of wax.

Photographic and written documentation was performed prior to the treatment and continued through completion. A written plan for continued maintenance was created to help reduce future deterioration and to increase the longevity of the conservation treatment, thereby reducing future costly conservation treatments.

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