Vizcaya museum and gardens (vizcaya) is a historic house museum and national historic landmark that preserves the estate of international harvester company vice president james deering

Built between 1914 and 1922, vizcaya isone of the most intact extant examples of a european-inspired estate from the american gilded age. The main houseconsists of 34 decorated rooms and over 3,500 objects and architectural elements that span two millennia andrepresent many cultures and periods of art.25 years after deerings death, vizcaya was conveyed to miami-dade county (MDC), opening to the public as amuseum in 1953. In 1994, the federal government designated vizcaya as a national historic landmark. Vizcayahosts more than 300,000 visitors a year and is a major tourist destination. The estate is accredited by theamerican alliance of museums and operated by vizcaya museum and gardens trust, INC., a private 501(c)(3)nonprofit.vizcayas swimming pool grotto was once a focal point for entertaining on the estate. IT is situated adjacent tothe basement the pool is partially open to the sky above and approximately half of its area is enclosed by theceiling above and on three walls. The immersive space is dominated by american artist robert w. Chanlersfantastic underwater scene, painted on its ceiling. The space includes wall and floor decorations by otherartists and elements added by the estates artistic director, paul chalfin. Over time, the work has experiencedsignificant losses. More than 60% of the paint has flaked off due to exposure to the outdoor climate, and thework is in dire need of conservation treatment. In addition, the ceiling substructure is corroding due to itslocation in a harsh marine environment. This material needs attention to ensure the stability of the ceiling, thesubstructure, and the floor of the living room above IT.the proposed project is the conservation of vizcayas swimming pool grotto. The grotto represents great historic, cultural, and artistic ideals of the american gilded age. The work is representative of a time when society looked to the past for aesthetic inspiration but also embraced contemporary arts patronage as a responsibility. An artist who straddled the divide between fine and decorative art, chanler created immersive spaces for some of the country s finest private homes. The mural is representative of the experimental nature of chanler s artistic practice, with the use of aluminum leaf and ornaments cast from nature. The collection is exceptionally valuable for the study of gilded age estates and the decorative spaces contained therein. The projects scope will include repair and stabilization of the supporting structures, reattachment of apendentive panel that is currently in storage, and the full conservation treatment of the mural. The project soutcomes will be the protection of this invaluable and unique component of a national historic landmark andsubsequent interpretation.