Courtesy of Rembrandt via Wikimedia Commons
If you’ve spent any time on the Internet before, you’ve likely encountered the 20th-century artwork “Ecce Homo,” or rather, what’s left of it. Known as one of the worst art restorations, it originally depicted Jesus crowned with thorns. However, after an amateur artist tried fixing the flaking fresco — watercolor done on wet plaster — it now instead holds a striking resemblance to a beast or monkey, thus giving it the loving nickname “Ecce Mono,” or “Behold the Monkey.” The work quickly grew infamous due to the hilarity of the situation and was shared all across the globe, making the church in which it is still displayed to this day a tourist attraction.
But why is art restoration necessary in the first place, and how are mishaps like this avoided in proper art restorations?
Despite how it may seem in museums, the quality of art is not immune to time. Exposure to light, humidity, pollutants, and temperature fluctuations can all cause deterioration. Without intervention and the proper storage procedures, these historical pieces could be lost forever. Restoration efforts are needed to preserve or at least replicate the art’s original state.
A notable example of successful restoration is “The Last Supper,” painted in 1546 by Renaissance painter and art historian Giorgio Vasari. In 1966, the piece was submerged for 12 hours during a catastrophic flood in Florence, Italy. Water damage left it heavily stained and disintegrated, but a team of conservators painstakingly restored the work over several decades. After 50 years in storage, it was reintroduced to the public in 2016.
Similarly, some artworks require restoration due to the art medium used. Edvard Munch’s “The Scream,” one of the most iconic images in art history, was painted on…cardboard. This medium is far less durable than traditional canvas, but was the only material that Munch could afford at the time. Over time, the material has become brittle and discolored, requiring conservation to prevent further damage.
Another reason why restoration is needed is, sadly, because of vandalism. Rembrandt’s “The Night Watch,” for instance, has been vandalized three times. In 1911, a jobless shoemaker tried to slash the painting. While the varnish protected the painting then, in 1975, another individual successfully slashed it with a bread knife. The painting sustained twelve cuts. However, thanks to conservators, the painting has been repaired each time, preserving its glory for visitors to Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum.
The actual process of art restoration combines art history, cutting-edge technology, and chemistry. Conservators are tasked with not only repairing physical damage but also preserving the artist’s original intent. Each work is different and a careful examination helps to determine which process and techniques will be best suited for the piece.
The restoration process begins with an in-depth examination of the artwork. Conservators analyze the piece to determine its condition, materials, and historical context. This is where their knowledge of art history comes into play: with knowledge of the painting techniques, available materials, and fabrics of the time, the replicating process becomes much more efficient.
Modern technology also plays a crucial role in this stage. X-rays can reveal underdrawings or hidden layers of paint, revealing how the artwork was created. For instance, X-ray imaging has uncovered preliminary sketches beneath Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa,” shedding light on parts of Da Vinci’s process. In another case, X-rays were used to reveal a hidden layer of painting underneath one of Francisco de Goya’s finished works, “Portrait Of Don Ramon Satue.” Instead of showing a sketch of the Spanish judge Satue, the hidden, unfinished work seems to depict a French general.
Infrared imaging is another valuable tool. With the use of infrared imaging, conservators can detect paint loss hidden beneath the surface of a painting. Recent advancements, including the development of cameras with fixed wavelengths, enable experts to precisely pinpoint certain aspects of a painting without causing damage. By analyzing how different pigments and materials reflect or absorb infrared light at varying wavelengths, conservators can map the composition of the artwork and fix prior destructive restoration attempts.
Chemistry is also used in restoration, particularly when removing dirt, grime, or discolored varnish from a painting. Conservators use spectroscopy to analyze the chemical composition of these layers. This method tracks how light interacts with materials, identifying the molecules present. With this information, restorers can select solvents that will effectively clean the artwork without damaging the original paint.
For example, varnish — a protective layer often applied to paintings — can yellow over time, obscuring the artist’s original colors. By studying its chemical makeup, conservators can develop a solvent mixture to remove the varnish safely, revealing the true hues beneath.
After a lengthy analysis, conservators still can’t get started. They first must take steps to protect the original before applying new materials to an artwork. One common technique is applying an intermediate layer of varnish to the damaged area. This creates a barrier between the old and new materials, ensuring that future restorations don’t damage the original artwork.
Once the preparatory steps are complete, conservators begin the practical, hands-on process of repairing the artwork. This often involves filling in areas of lost paint with a mixture of dry pigment and synthetic, non-yellowing solvents. Conservators choose these materials for their stability so that paintings do not have to be restored as often in the future.
In some cases, digital tools, such as 3-D modeling, are also used to create a detailed plan before applying paint or other materials to the artwork itself. These scans record every contour, crack, and detail of the piece, providing a baseline for conservators to reference during restoration.
There are countless additional tools and techniques used by conservators, many of which go beyond what has been discussed here. Art restoration is an intricate process requiring a deep understanding of both science and art, making room for a profession that leaves little room for error. Attempting restoration without proper training can quickly go south. However, when performed by professionals, art restoration becomes a truly captivating task. So fascinating, in fact, that the grand renovation of the aforementioned vandalized piece “The Night Watch” was done right in front of museum visitors and even live-streamed online in 2019. On TikTok, there are also numerous videos showing the process of restoration.
After all that conservators must do to keep a piece alive, it can be said that art restoration is not only vital to keep history alive, but is also an art in itself.
#science #painting #restoration #Tartan
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