Biography of Sheldon and Caroline K. Keck

Biography of Sheldon and Caroline K. Keck

I have begun work on a fact-based biography of Sheldon and Caroline
Keck, whom I met in 1962 and remained friendly with until their
deaths. During the past 15 years I have researched their careers,
collected books and articles authored by one or both of the Kecks,
and saved newspaper articles about them. Letters to me from Caroline
Keck date from the mid-1960s to 2007. The sons of the Kecks are
generously sharing their recollections and gathering family papers
that might be relevant. I will also consult the Caroline K. Keck
Papers at the Winterthur Library, in Delaware, and other resources.

This announcement is an invitation to colleagues and others to
please share first-hand recollections of the Kecks and allow access
to photographs and personal correspondence that you own. I would
especially appreciate hearing from people in other countries who
knew the Kecks.

American art conservators Sheldon Waugh Keck (May 30, 1910 - June
12, 1993) and his wife Caroline Martin Kohn Keck (October 6, 1908 -
December 17, 2007) influenced the development of conservation during
much of the past century. Working individually and together, they
practiced painting conservation at the Brooklyn Museum and in their
private studio, trained interns, lectured on many occasions,
published articles and books, and taught conservation to academic
students. The also contributed prominently to the establishment of
three academic programs in the USA that focus on conservation
training and/or research. Both of the Kecks registered as members of
the IIC in its first year, and soon afterward they became
responsible for compiling and publishing IIC's first newsletters.
Eventually, each of the Kecks became an honorary member of both the
IIC and the AIC (formerly IIC-American Group), and each of those
organizations established a special award in honor of the Kecks.
Throughout their long and entwined careers, they sought to advance
the field of art conservation and encourage wider public
appreciation for art preservation. As anyone who met Caroline and
Sheldon Keck can attest, they were fascinating personalities as well
as dedicated professionals in an emerging art field. Surely, they
merit a well-researched biography.

Whether you wish to share information, offer advice, or ask a
question, please respond before July 2011 directly to me.

(Ms.) Jean D. Portell
13 Garden Place
Brooklyn, New York 11201 USA
718-643-1222
Fax: 718-643-8773


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 24:45
                  Distributed: Monday, March 28, 2011
                       Message Id: cdl-24-45-014
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