Julia Korner is a specialist and lecturer in fine art conservation and restoration of paintings, sculptures and frames. She is also a valuer, passionate collector, advisor and curator of paintings and works of art.
Julia trained as an illustrator and art historian in London and Cambridge, and then as a conservator of easel paintings and as a carver and gilder specialising in frames and polychrome sculpture. In 1978 she began her 20 year career at Christie’s as a paintings specialist, building extensive knowledge of Old Masters, and of British, European and American paintings from the 1700s onwards. She set up Christie’s Maritime Department in 1987, followed by the Frames sales, Aeronautical sales, Exploration and Travel, and the Polar sales, developing them into their current pre-eminence in the international auction world.
Julia was elected Huntington Fellow of the Mariners’ Museum, Newport, New Virginia, USA, in 1997. A seven year commitment saw her catalogue this collection and its sister organisation, the South Street Seaport Museum, in New York.
Julia has worked independently in her own studio in West London for museums, private collectors and institutions since 1997. Here, she and her small team give specialist conservation work and personal expert attention. Damaged easel paintings, watercolours and prints, polychrome statues, over-mantles, church interiors and traditional gold leaf and gesso frames all emerge delicately restored and transformed under their matchless expertise, knowledge and care. In addition she makes hand-made gold leaf and gesso frames and transforms clients' existing frames, where possible, in addition to undertaking research on paintings undergoing conservation. In 1993 she conserved most of the paintings blown up in the last IRA bomb attack in the City of London at Bishopsgate.
Julia acts as an advisor, valuer and exhibition curator for public and private collections in the UK and abroad. She also gives illustrated talks, lectures and study days which often finish with an informal Antiques Roadshow where clients bring paintings and watercolours along to discuss their condition and their frames, and how they can be transformed.
She is an Accredited Lecturer of the Arts Society, (formerly NADFAS), The British Association of Paintings Conservator Restorers, The Worshipful Company of Arts Scholars, The International Institute for Conservation, an elected member of the British Antique Dealers' Association, LAPADA, The Fine Art Trade Guild, The Maritime Information Association, The Museums Association, and The Conservation Consortium.
