The cleaning controversy at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. publicized a dispute over conservation philosophies. The moratorium on the cleaning of pictures in the collection came from a desire to reevaluate conservation philosophies. Returning a painting to an approximation of its original condition can give rise to questions of how much dark varnish should be removed and what are the conservator's guiding principles. Goes into great detail on the problems of pitting conservators against such esthetic questions. Explains thatapparently the trouble began with the cleaning of the Rubens <i>Gerbier Family before the establishment of the present conservation department in 1972. (Abstractor's Note: A nine-member panel expressed confidence in the integrity and professionalism of the conservation staff of the National Gallery. No member found any evidence of physical harm to the paintings treated by the conservators.) -- AATA