Conserving Harvard's Glass Flowers

Saturday, March 25 join conservator Scott Fulton for a close-up look at the science, artistry and conservation of the world-renowned Blaschka Glass Flowers. Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka, father and son, continually experimented with materials and methods that pushed the boundaries of glassworking. Decades later, their innovations still present unique conservation challenges. How were the flowers made over a fifty-year period? How are they maintained in 2023? Scott Fulton will highlight details of the Blaschkas’ techniques—including recent findings—and discuss the technical innovations he uses to conserve the prized Glass Flowers. This lecture is free with regular museum admission, and free parking is available at 52 Oxford Street Garage. Visit the related exhibit in the "Glass Flower Gallery: From the Hands of the Makers." This hybrid event is presented by Harvard Museum of Natural History and Harvard Museums of Science & Culture.

Image credit: Hypoxis hirsuta, Common goldstar, Model 307, Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka, 1892. The Ware Collection of Blaschka Glass Models of Plants, Harvard University Herbaria / Harvard Museum of Natural History ©President and Fellows of Harvard College