Conservation provided by The William H. Backer Foundation.
Joseph Ioor Waring (1897-1977)
By Ray Edward Goodbred (1929-2011), | Oil on canvas, 37 ½ x 33
Joseph I. Waring was born on September 4, 1897 in Charleston, South Carolina. He graduated from the College of Charleston in 1917 and received his medical degree from the Medical College of the State of South Carolina in 1921.
Dr. Waring was affiliated with the Medical College of South Carolina from 1927 until his death in 1977. He was a clinical professor of pediatrics at the college, and later became the curator of historical collections at the college’s Hoffman Library. In 1969 the Hoffman Library was renamed the Waring Historical Library to honor Dr. Waring’s contribution to medical history. Dr. Waring’s three volumes work History of Medicine in South Carolina is considered the most comprehensive work on the subject. He died on December 21, 1977.
Given by the Estate of Mrs. Joseph I. Waring Jr., 1985.
Conservation Needs:
Proposed treatment removing grime and discolored varnish layers, reducing canvas distortion, and revarnishing the portrait with synthetic glaze.
Frame requires repair and cleaning, filling and consolidation of gesso, removal of overpaint, and surface toning
Goal
The goal for the project is $150,000 which will pay for all the work to conserve these visual treasures. The cost for each portrait’s conservation ranges from $1,200 to $15,000.
This cost includes the conservation/ treatment report, conservation of the canvas and frame, and any costs associated with the treatment such as curatorial research and documentation, photography, transportation, and insurance.
Donor Recognition
Donors who adopt a portrait will receive named recognition during the portraits absence in the form of a sign reading, “Portrait being conserved through the generous support of [your name].”
When the portrait is returned a celebratory reception will be held at which the donor will be honored for his or her support of the project. Finally, the finished portrait will be reinstalled in the Waring with a permanent sign reading, “This portrait was conserved in [year] by the generous support of [your name].”
As a thank you gift, donors will be offered a reproduction of their “adopted” portrait, printed on canvas and suitable for framing.
Project Kick-Off
In order to kick-start the project, the WLS sent the portrait of Alexander Baron off for conservation.
Dr. Baron was selected for two reasons: first, the sitter, Dr. Baron, was a founding member of the Medical Society of South Carolina, whose generous support of the Waring has enabled us to conserve and digitize numerous items from the collection.
Second, the artist of the portrait was Samuel B. Morse, whose portraiture career in Charleston included painting the city’s leaders.