conservator

[kuhn-sur-vuh-ter, kon-ser-vey-]

noun

1. a person who conserves or preserves; preserver; protector.

2. a person who repairs, restores, or maintains the condition of objects, as paintings or sculptures in an art museum, or books in a library.

3. Law.,  a guardian; a custodian.

4. British.,  a person employed by a conservancy commission; a conservation worker.

conservator

/ ˈkɒnsəˌveɪtə, kənˈsɜːvə- /

noun

1. a person who conserves or keeps safe; custodian, guardian, or protector

Other Word Forms

• conservatorial adjective
• conservatorship noun
• subconservator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of conservator¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin, equivalent to conservā(re) “to keep safe; preserve” + -tor agent suffix; conserve -tor

Example Sentences

The painting was purchased by a private collector, whose identity remains undisclosed, and taken to a fine art conservator.

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Wrightson said the house added 30% more gallery space to the Breuer’s footprint by repurposing office space, library areas and even a museum conservator’s studio into additional galleries.

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“Through all of the devastation, there is something really beautiful about the community coming together to protect this mural, no matter the weather,” said Davida Persaud, chief operating officer of MuralColors, a local art conservator.

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Inside conservators carefully unwrapped artworks from protective packaging, inspecting each piece and taking meticulous records before positioning them on walls and plinths.

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This work was done by Gardena-based company KC Restoration, which retouched and treated each damaged or cracked tile with the type of care and attention to detail used by painting conservators, Denk said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• curator 
• custodian 
• restorer www.thesaurus.com