Van Witt Fine Art Conservation's mission is to restore and conserve painted works of art using the highest professional ethical standards.
Founder and Chief Conservator
Peggy Van Witt is a third-generation paintings conservator. Based in Metro Kansas City, she works in private practice.
Ms. Van Witt's hands-on education began when she was a girl of 15 in post-war Europe, where opportunities to help restore fine paintings were plentiful. She was trained by Salome Panthel, an avid painter and conservator at Frankfurt's Stadt Museum. In the 1970s and '80s, Peggy received two Bachelors degrees and a Masters degree. In addition to her studies at the University of Southern California, the Art Center College of Design and the University of Maryland's European Division, she attended numerous industry workshops and events. She is a Professional Associate of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC), and a member of The New England Conservation Association, Conservators in Private Practice (CIPP), the Midwest Conservation Guild and Heritage Preservation.
Ms. Van Witt’s international background has served her well. She has lived and worked in Germany, England, Switzerland, Belgium and North Africa. Prior to moving to Kansas City, Ms. Van Witt worked as a conservator in private practice in Westport, Connecticut, initially under the tutelage of Conservator Arnold Wagner, co-founder of Conservators in Private Practice (CIPP). To this day, Ms. Van Witt collaborates on projects with Mr. Wagner. She currently resides in Overland Park, Kansas, when she works full-time in her state-of-the-art conservation studio.
A lively and sought-after lecturer on art conservation and the care and treatment of paintings, Ms. Van Witt's lectures include hands-on demonstrations and conservation assessments. Email Ms. Van Witt directly at vanwitt@msn.com
Senior Conservator
Arnold Wagner is a tour de force among art conservators. He lives in New York and is retired.
Mr. Wagner's artistic gifts came to light when he a teenager. He attended the Art Students League and became an illustrator for men's adventure magazines and book covers. His foray into art conservation began when he read "The Cleaning of Painting: Problems and Potentialities." When he realized how much he already knew, it was an epiphany. He immersed himself in chemistry, materials sciences and the art of connoisseurship, and a gifted conservator was born.
Mr. Wagner began his career restoring art in a small studio his uncle set up for him. Eventually, he went to work for world-renowned painting and mural conservator Margaret Watherston. During his career he has worked on numerous important works and prominent collections.
A Professional Associate of the prestigious American Institute for Conservation. Mr. Wagner has mentored many students over the years, including Van Witt Fine Art Conservation founder Peggy Van Witt. He continues to share his wisdom and experience with young conservators. To this day he remains active as a consultant for Van Witt Fine Art Conservation.