The impetus for this small installation of Elizabeth Styring Nutt’s four seasonal paintings of the Northwest Arm was the completion of a long-term conservation treatment of her Autumn view, created by the artist in 1927 during her 24-year tenure as principal of the Victoria College of Art and Design (now NSCAD University).
Though the mystery surrounding the poor condition of the work when it came into the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia’s collection in 2001 remains unresolved, the satisfaction gained from returning this painting to a state close to that intended by the artist is immeasurable, especially given that prospects for success at the beginning stages seemed bleak.
The process of recovery is documented by Senior Conservator, Laurie Hamilton, in a pamphlet accompanying the exhibit.
