A family business, since 1958.
Three generations of specialists in paintings, frames, retouching and joinery, working from our studio in Somerset.
A brief look behind the scenes at our Somerset studio — its history, and the skilled team who care for every painting we restore and conserve.
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Everett Fine Art has been a family-run picture restoration and conservation business since 1958. My journey began with my father, Ted, who after the war became an auctioneer for Puttocks and Simpson (violins) before moving to Bonhams, where he initiated the first picture auction. His interest soon led him to venture out as a picture dealer, and later a restorer, from our home in Cambridge. As a child, I witnessed an exciting era filled with artwork constantly arriving from sales, and the lively presence of dealers, collectors and buyers.
In 1976, our family moved to the West Country, and I took over the business in 1981 after my father's sudden death. To improve my understanding and handling of paintings, I worked for three major auctioneers to gain experience, before dedicating myself full-time to restoration alongside dealing. Over the years, our business has grown, welcoming other highly skilled restorers and handling memorable sales on behalf of private clients.
My particular interest lies in Early British paintings, an understanding broadened through countless restoration projects for collectors, country houses and museums over four decades.
Everett Fine Art maintains a legacy of preserving paintings of both national significance and private value. While we embrace advances in materials and techniques, we uphold many of the traditional methods that have reliably guided us.
— Tim Everett
Frans Snyders' 'Boar Hunt' at childhood home.
Ted Everett taking auction for Bonhams, 1950s.
Tim Everett in the studio in Somerset.
Tim continued the family restoration business founded in 1951 and for over 40 years has continued to develop and improve the range and specialisations undertaken. Tim specialises in the conservation of the canvas itself and is a glue paste liner.
Lester has worked exclusively with frame restoration and making for 40 years, and specialises in traditional English compo — a skill that is now fast disappearing. He is also an extremely skilled gilder and paint finisher, and continues to make bespoke period-style frames of a very high standard for a wide range of clients.
We first worked together over 30 years ago, and Zelie had run her own restoration business in Devon. Her skill and experience as a retoucher is invaluable.
Marine trained in painting conservation at the Sorbonne in Paris before moving to England, working in both private studios and public institutions (the V&A and Tate). She is an ICON accredited member and a member of the BAPCR council (British Association of Paintings Conservator-Restorers).
Michael has been with us for over 25 years and does all our frame carcase work, ranging from making and constructing period-style frames to cutting down and restoring frames and all the timber work. This includes the skilled task of making all the stretchers and pegs required for the studio and for many other clients.