IMAGELESS grew out of a donation by AXA ART to the Guggenheim and MoMA of a severely damaged Black Painting by Ad Reinhardt (1913-1967). The collaborative team of conservators, scientists, curators, and artists carried out a complete physical examination and scientific analysis of the work. What started as the donation of an unsalvageable painting to a museum for research turned into an unprecedented exploration of experimental treatment directly on a damaged, historically significant Ad Reinhardt monochromatic painting study. The findings of this unusual project were exhibited to great acclaim at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum from July 11 - September 14, 2008 followed by a symposium.