Conserving Harvard's Glass Flowers (Hybrid Lecture)

How were the world-renowned Blaschka Glass Flowers made over a fifty-year period? How are they maintained in 2023? Join Glass Flowers Conservator Scott Fulton for a close-up look at the science, artistry, and conservation of these botanical wonders. 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. 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.

Visit the related exhibit in the Glass Flower Gallery: From the Hands of the Makers. Free event parking at 52 Oxford Street Garage.

Presented by the Harvard Museum of Natural History and the 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