Museum of New Mexico Foundation (Palace of the Governors)

The Palace of the Governors/New Mexico History Museum will use grant funds to perform a detailed condition survey of the museum’s paintings collection. The collection, which comprises 187 paintings, represents a significant artistic and historical body of work for the state of New Mexico. This diverse collection includes rare portraits of historical figures such as Charles Bent, the first governor of New Mexico, and Adolph Bandelier, the namesake of Bandelier National Monument. Other important works include religious paintings by prominent Spanish colonial artists such as Juan Correa and Diego Quispe Tito. The survey will be used to identify the major condition issues in the paintings collection. This information will ultimately be used to develop plans for the treatment and long-term storage of the collection.