During the late 19th century art was a family business for the Ives. Artists Lewis and Percy Ives, father and son respectively, were the Midwest's foremost portrait painters from the 1870's through the 1920's.

The importance of a varnish layer on an original oil painting is more complex than just a protective finish. Although we desire paintings to be properly protected from the elements, it is equally important to consider how the finish layer will react with the pigments and substrates over time, the aesthetic qualities of the finish, and how this finish relates to artwork throughout history.

One of the most prolific artists of the Michigan State Capitol’ collection, Lewis Ives, may have been ahead of his time. Read about how an up close inspection reveals evidence of the use of a photographic reference.