An art conservator works in a variety of settings including art museums, major state art galleries, regional art galleries, art auctions, libraries, archives, and independent practises. A conservator usually specialises in a particular type of object such as paintings, frames, paper, textiles, or metals. In order to preserve the object properly, the art conservator needs to know the object's history, and understand its structure and chemistry. Then, using a mixture of analytical science and theory, the art conservator decides the best way to treat and preserve the artwork or object.