In 1964, Kenneth Noland created a series of geometric stained canvas paintings depicting rings and chevrons, which were then featured in the Venice Biennale presentation of contemporary American painting. Harvard Art Museums conservators have recently advanced understanding of how to treat these stained canvas paintings, which represent an innovative development in painting from this era. Join a conversation between a curator and a conservator about preparing Noland’s works for display in the exhibition The Solomon Collection: Dürer to Degas and Beyond (May 24–August 17, 2025).

The Solomon Collection: Dürer to Degas and Beyond celebrates a significant recent bequest to the Harvard Art Museums from passionate collectors Arthur K. and Mariot F. Solomon. The exhibition spotlights over 135 works, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, and prints by some of the most significant artists from the Renaissance to the 20th century, and offers visitors an intimate view into the highly personal yet inherently collaborative nature of art collecting.