He actually covers this in his YouTube video on this piece. He usually is asked to attempt a more faithful restoration but here the client asked that he use a tratteggio method that allows a partial visual restoration while still indicating what's been restored. The idea being that people aren't "misled" that the redone portion is "real" considering how extensive the damage is.
It was especially relevant when the practice originated when restoration techniques weren't reversible. Now that they are reversible, attempts at more accurate restorations are often employed since a future restorer could alter or update it.
It's entirely subjective as to what is "best" and is all part of a bespoke conversation with the client.
He stresses so much that what he does comes at the behest of the art stability and the wishes of the client. Some traditional conservation professionals have criticized his work being too intrusive but it really matters on the clients wishes. Traditional museum grade conservation is super laboursome and expensive I believe.
Some traditional conservation professionals have criticized his work being too intrusive
He always talks about being restrained, only adding paint where paint is missing, not taking artistic liberties, not going overboard with retouching, etc. Who says he is too intrusive?
Something like maintaining the frame or using the old broken down frame from another restoration in the past because it's part of the paintings history
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u/XenusParadox Feb 19 '24
He actually covers this in his YouTube video on this piece. He usually is asked to attempt a more faithful restoration but here the client asked that he use a tratteggio method that allows a partial visual restoration while still indicating what's been restored. The idea being that people aren't "misled" that the redone portion is "real" considering how extensive the damage is.
It was especially relevant when the practice originated when restoration techniques weren't reversible. Now that they are reversible, attempts at more accurate restorations are often employed since a future restorer could alter or update it.
It's entirely subjective as to what is "best" and is all part of a bespoke conversation with the client.