The Fine Arts Conservancy / Stoneledge

05/23/2026

Celebrating America 250! The Story of the Iwo Jima Memorial - Marines Raising our Flag. Memorial Day is a time to remember and say thank you!

05/22/2026

Celebrating America 250! The Story of the Iwo Jima Memorial - Marines Raising our Flag. Memorial Day is a time to remember and say thank you!
Every Memorial Day I am reminded of the time I spent with Flex de Welden, the sculptor of the Iwo Jima Memorial, The United States Marine Corps War Memorial.
My visit with the internationally renowned sculptor, Felix de Weldon in Newport, Rhode Island, where he lived and had his studio many years ago; it comes to mind as Memorial Day approaches. Felix de Weldon’s sculpture of marines raising our flag on Iwo Jima after the United States took control of the island would become one of the most iconic images of symbol of freedom and those who fought to preserve and guard it. The sculpture sits on the edge of Arlington National Cemetery: dominating the skyline. The image captures one of the defining moments of World War II. The statue is the largest bronze statue in the world at 78 feet tall and weighing 100 tons. The figures are armed with either a 16-foot-long M-1 Garand rifle or a 12-foot-long M-1 carbine. Their combat knives are 5½ feet long and their helmets are 3½ feet in diameter. The statue rests on a 700-ton concrete base surrounded by 389 tons of highly polished Bonaccord black granite from Sweden.
Joseph Rosenthal, a military photographer during the war, was on assignment on Iwo Jima when a platoon of 40 men finally secured Mount Suribachi one of the Japanese strongholds. Rosenthal learned that the American flag was to be raised in victory but arrived too late. He noticed that a second flag was being raised – it was this scene that he captured. Six Marines and one Navy corpsman hoisting the flag and planting it into the rocky volcanic ground on February 23, 1945. This photograph was used on the front page of every major newspaper in America and in the windows of retail establishments – every American soon knew the image.
Felix de Weldon was inspired by Rosenthal’s photograph and made a model of the scene while he was serving in the U.S. Navy. The model, carved in limestone standing nine feet tall, is now at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia. He was commissioned by the U.S. Congress in 1951 to create a bronze sculpture of his model, faithful to Rosenthal’s photograph. It was dedicated on November 10, 1954 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower at Arlington Cemetery where it still stands. The sculpture is the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial dedicated to "the Marine dead of all wars and their comrades of other services who fell fighting beside them."
It has often been questioned how Iwo Jima; 12 square miles of remote island could be so important. It is one of a chain of small islands which were necessary to establish air bases close enough to the Japanese mainland that Japan could be reached by airstrikes. It was from these islands that “Fat Boy” and “Little Boy” (the first nuclear bombs ever used in combat) were launched against Japan with such devastating effect that they essentially ended the war. Japan sued for peace within days averting other planned attacks which would have killed more untold thousands.
President John F. Kennedy issued a proclamation on June 12, 1961 that the American flag should fly over the memorial 24 hours a day, one of the few official sites where this is required.
Three of the six flag raisers died on Iwo Jima. Three others posed for de Welden while he was creating the sculpture. However, John Bradley, who posed for de Welden, was thought to be one of the three, but after extensive research by the Pentagon, it was discovered that Bradley was one of the flag raisers of the first flag raising and not the second one which was Rosenthal’s photograph. The six flag raisers were: Corporal Harlon Block, Corporal Harold Keller, Private First-Class Ira Hayes, Private First-Class Harold Schultz, Private First Class Franklin Sousley, and Sergeant Michael Strank.
During a career that spanned more than 70 years, De Weldon created more than 1,200 public monuments on seven continents, including a monument of Adm. Richard E. Byrd at McMurdo Sound in Antarctica. de Weldon is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, not far from his famous sculpture that is now one of the greatest symbols of defending freedom.
On Memorial Day we honor the fallen that gave their lives while serving in the United States Armed Forces. In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday. So, it is on this day to contemplate the sacrifices made and the extraordinary talent of Felix de Weldon who realized the flag raising in an enduring material, bronze, that underscores the significance of the moment. I will always treasure the memory of the day I spent with him.
Gordon Lewis, The Fine Arts Conservancy.

05/21/2026

05/20/2026

The Fine Arts Conservancy specializes in paper conservation and restoration of works on paper. Our professional paper conservators are trained to stabilize, repair, and preserve items such as documents, maps, prints, drawings, watercolors, photographs, certificates, manuscripts, posters, and other paper-based heirlooms. What can we restore for you? Learn more at: https://www.art-conservation.org/

05/15/2026

The Fine Arts Conservancy for the restoration and conservation of fine art and antiques combining scientific technology with old world skills. For more information visit: https://www.art-conservation.org/

05/09/2026

Happy Mother’s Day!

Mary Stevens Cassatt (American 1844-1926) excelled at capturing the tender bond between a mother and child in her body of work; illustrating the feelings of love and protectiveness a mother has toward her child. The adoring look between the mother and child is beautifully conveyed; an innocence and the child’s certainty of being kept safe. Mother and child is a recurring theme in the history of art. Cassatt’s treatment of the maternal bond was avant-garde as she chose peasant women and their children for subjects instead of upper-class women who had nursemaids tending to their children. Cassatt captured intimate moments as the mother and child gaze at each other.

The paper was sliced from the broken glass used in framing. Painstakingly the paper was returned to its natural alignment and the lost powder of the pastel chalk was replaced.

05/03/2026

05/02/2026

The Kentucky Derby is this weekend, a gathering of magnificent horses!

Sir Alfred Munnings (1878-1959), 20th Century British artist with an impressionistic style is remembered for capturing the beauty of horses at racetracks and in the English countryside.

In early 20th century England, gypsies found work at the racetracks and Munnings was attracted to their carefree spirit. Shrimp, one of the gypsies, became Munnings favorite model. The paintings with Shrimp and horses are some of his most desirable.

In this painting of Shrimp leading horses across a stream, the varnish layer had turned yellow with age dulling the colors but once it was removed the vibrant colors Munnings used to define the horse and the overall painting came alive again. The veil of varnish yellowed with time obscures the nuances of color an artist uses which adds to the depth of a painting. Applying the paint onto the canvas quickly and with confidence, Munnings was skilled at using an economy of brush strokes to create his paintings, excelling at the characteristics of an impressionistic style.

He had a deep love for horses, and it is exemplified in his paintings.
Some of the most magnificent horses will be running for the roses at the Kentucky Derby, good luck to all!

For more information on the Kentucky Derby visit: www.kentuckyderby.com
For more information on painting restoration visit: www.art-conservation.org

05/02/2026

The prestigious Triple Crown begins this Saturday with the 152nd Kentucky Derby. Inseparable from the Derby is the Mint Julep. This recipe is from the classic Gracious Goodness The Taste of Memphis cookbook. A Truly Southern Mint Julep Recipe! A tradition as rich as the race itself, this cocktail is your ticket to tasting history with the smooth sophistication of Woodford Reserve bourbon. Raise your silver cups to a century and a half of racing excellence! Let us know how you like it and may your horse win the race!

04/11/2026

BOBBY JONES
Co-Founder of The Masters Tournament

In a previous article, I said there are some paintings so important that they must be approached with reverence; Bobby Jones’ portrait by Thomas E. Stevens is one of these. We had the distinct pleasure to conserve his painting for the United States Golf Association Museum in Liberty Corner, New Jersey. It is doubtful that any golfer in the Western World has not seen an image of this iconic painting and knows the name of Robert Tyre Jones, Jr. (1902-1971) as Bobby Jones he is still considered the best golfer in history, even though he was a weekend golfer. His string of major wins has – even until this day – remained unmatched!

Jones is the ONLY golfer ever credited with a single-season double Grand Slam. He was, without question, the dominant player of the 1920s. Jones co-founded Augusta National Golf Club with Clifford Roberts in 1932 and in 1934 the two founded the Augusta National Invitation

Tournament, which in 1939 became known as the Masters Tournament.

How great was Bobby Jones? It is not an easy question to answer. In his day, the four majors were the two Open Championships - the British and U.S. - and the two Amateur championships - again, the British and the U.S.; Jones won those events 13 times. This much is certain: you can successfully argue that Jones was the best-ever, his brilliance culminated in 1930 when he won the “Double” Grand Slam of the time: the U.S. Open, U.S. Amateur, British Open and British Amateur in the same year. He was the first player to win them all and the only golfer to have all four.

He retired that same year at the age of 28. Tired of the grind and the mental drain, he returned to his law practice.

Jones is considered one of the five giants of the 1920s American sports scene, along with baseball's Babe Ruth, boxing's Jack Dempsey, football's Red Grange, and tennis player Bill Tilden.

The painting is by Thomas E. Stephens (1886-1966) a Welsh portrait painter who came to America in 1929. Stephens became a sought-after portraitist by the Army’s most distinguished generals of World War II, commissions from the United States Military Academy as well as noted judges of the time. Stephens painted Dwight D. Eisenhower’s portrait in his army uniform when he was General, the standing portrait was exhibited at the White House during his presidency; and now hangs in the Smithsonian Institutions’ Gallery of Presidents. At Eisenhower’s suggestion, Churchill permitted Stephens to paint his portrait which has sadly disappeared.

Eisenhower was a dear friend of Bobby Jones, built on their love of golf and as members of Augusta National Golf Club. When Jones was considering having his portrait painted, it was Eisenhower that urged him to commission Stephens for the privilege.

The portrait of Bobby Jones was painted in 1952 and in 1953 was given by ninety-nine members of Augusta National Golf Club to the United States Golf Association Museum for their “Golf House” which holds Bobby Jones’ memorabilia. Eisenhower sent a letter to be read on his behalf at the dedication ceremony.

Eisenhower was fond of copying paintings and portraits as a way to develop his artistic skills, he copied Stephens’ Bobby Jones portrait and it is now exhibited at the Augusta National Golf Club.

A limited edition print of the portrait Stephens’s painted widened the exposure of the image; today it has value in its own right.

On championship Sunday of the Masters Tournament, when the coveted and iconic Green Jacket is presented to the winner in Butler’s Cabin, look at the picture that hangs in the center of the scene – it is one of the limited edition prints– millions see it on that championship Sunday in April during the televised ceremony. Keep in mind when you see the print that there is a painting proudly exhibited at the United States Golf Association and it was our honor to conserve it for future generations.

We want to thank Rosemary Maravetz, Curator of Collections, USGA Golf Museum and Library for providing the images and arranging the use of the image of the painting. Nathan Myers, Historian, Augusta National Golf Club for sharing his knowledge of the details about the relationship between Bobby Jones and Eisenhower. It is this professional exchange motivated by pure goodwill that enhances our understanding.

Gordon A. Lewis, Jr.

Senior Director and Vice President