Albert Einstein Bust

National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC

We performed emergency conservation treatment of a ceramic bust of Albert Einstein. The bust was sculpted by Robert Berks and was used as the basis for the large bronze Einstein Memorial that stands outside the National Academy of Sciences. Several fragments of the bust had become detached when it was knocked from its pedestal and fell to the floor.

We were engaged to perform conservation treatment as quickly as could be arranged, so that the bust would be repaired correctly in time for an upcoming board meeting. The salvaged fragments were re-adhered in place. Small areas of loss were then filled with a bulked acrylic resin and then painted with acrylic paints to match the surrounding material. Work was completed according to the client’s tight schedule.