Art patrons aid Bangor library Peirce, Hardy paintings get good cleanings

BANGOR – Waldo Peirce’s painting “The Gypsies” has been part of the collection of the Bangor Public Library for many years. However, it isn’t hanging right now – it is waiting for a new frame to compliment recent cleaning and restorative work.

Soon, however, the public will be able to see this large oil on canvas in the stairwell leading to the library’s Children’s Department. Through the Library’s Art Restoration Project, many of the paintings in the library are being cleaned and restored.

The idea of a “patron of the arts” may conjure up images of wealthy nabobs with capital aplenty. But the library has found that what is needed is just someone who cares. Over the past few months, the Bangor Public Library has had at least a dozen of its paintings cleaned and restored, thanks to the generosity of people from the community.

For example, Jeremiah Pearson Hardy’s portraits of Gen. Samuel Veazie and his wife, Susanna Walker Veazie, now grace the main stairwell thanks to the generosity of Peter Michaud, John Squadra, Owen Gray and Son, John Field Jr. and Susan Smith, who donated time, talent and money to preserve these paintings.

Likewise, patrons Diane Vatne and Pauline Kaiser paid for the restoration of J.P. Hardy’s portrait of Child Feeding Parrot, while members of the Bangor Mechanic Association funded the restoration of J.P. Hardy’s portrait done by his daughter, Annie Hardy.

Without patron intervention, much of this art would be shrouded in the darkness of dirt and old varnish forever. Over time, such impurities on the surface would sink into and permanently become part of the paint film and could never be removed.

Once the ball started rolling, other benefactors came forward to secure needed restoration of favorite works. The library also received a grant from the Maine Community Foundation to help. Other groups added donations to the Art Restoration Project funds.

For example, aware that Annie Hardy was renowned for her ability to capture the freshness of nature, the library’s Antique Study Group took an interest in her oil painting “Violets.”

Members recognized that the dark, gloomy painting needed to be cleaned to reveal the artist’s original intention. Now that transformation is complete, and a tender bunch of freshly plucked violets laden with dewdrops greets the viewer. As Annie Hardy knew, each flower has a distinct individuality and now patrons from this generation can appreciate that fact.

Art has always been a part of the library’s collection, but patrons don’t always notice it. Patrons are invited to pick up a brochure for a self-guided tour or arrange for a staff-guided tour by appointment. One will find that there is still work to be done to restore the library’s collection.

The library’s funds dedicated to art restoration have been depleted, but the task is not over.

Where is Waldo? Well, Waldo Peirce’s “Gypsies” is nearly ready to be seen much as the artist painted it, but his “Luther H. Peirce” needs some work. The latter was his tribute to his uncle, a dedicated soldier and colonel who served in the Army of the Potomac.

The library hopes that work can start before intervention is too late. Perhaps the inquiry should not be, “Where’s Waldo?” but, “In what condition will one find his work?”

Any donation to the Bangor Public Library’s Art Restoration Fund will be appreciated. Patrons may choose to adopt a particular painting, but any contribution will help preserve the paintings that are part of Bangor’s heritage.

Direct inquiries or send contributions to Bangor Public Library, Art Restoration Fund, Attn: Elizabeth Stevens, 145 Harlow St., Bangor, ME 04401. To obtain information or arrange an art tour of the library, call Elizabeth Stevens in Local History-Special Collections at 947-8336, Ext. 103.