Lambert Sustris (Italian, ca. 1515–after 1560), The Circle of False Education from the Tabula Cebetis (after conservation treatment). Oil on canvas, 65 1/2 x 138 ¼”. Gift of Charles M. Pratt, 1917.1.11. 

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY.- The Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center announces the re-exhibition of the Lambert Sustris painting, The Circle of False Education from the Tabula Cebetis. The painting was recently returned to the Art Center after an eighteen-month restoration effort at the Williamstown Art Conservation Center in Massachusetts. 

A gift to the college in 1917, The Circle of False Education was inspired by the Tabula Cebetis, a text by an anonymous author of the first century, that describes an image in the Temple of Chronos in Athens or Thebes where the story of human progress is presented in concentric circles filled with obstacles. Sustris, who was born in Amsterdam around 1515-1520, spent most of his career in Italy and Southern Europe and this painting was once attached to a palace wall in Venice. 

The painting was unexhibitable for many years owing to its poor condition. “Its rejuvenation was thought by some to be an impossible task but the challenge was taken on by Sandra Webber of Williamstown,” says James Mundy, Anne Hendricks Bass Director of the Art Center. The restoration required a two-phase approach. Phase one consisted of cleaning the surface, which was obscured by varnish and blanching. The second phase involved the reconstruction of the image, including removal of certain compositional elements such as the mountains in the left and right backgrounds, which appear to have been added during a previous restoration. 

“The result is a dramatic restoration of the original colors,” Mundy explains. “We are thrilled to have this painting back in such excellent condition.” 

The painting will be on view beginning October 20.