The Art of Art Restoration and Conservation

Salvator Mundi — The rediscovery of a masterpiece: Chronology, conservation, and authentication

Art History News has a fascinating archive of art restoration news both in print and video:

Archive of Art Restoration News 

 

Art Restoration truly became a science in the 20th century.  

Professor Joyce Hill Stoner from the University of Delaware writes about the...

Changing Approaches in Art Conservation: 1925 to the Present

 

Modern Chemistry plays an important part in restoration and conservation.  See how nanoparticles, laser cleaning, and glue-eating bacteria restore valuable frescoes and paintings:

Modern Chemistry Techniques Save Ancient Art

 

The National Gallery of Canada has a team of a dozen restorers and conservators.  Watch them at work:

Restoration and Conservation at the National Gallery of Canada

 

A fascinating profile of art conservator Suzanne Siano:

One Woman’s Quest to Save the Art World, 

One Painting at a Time

Baumgartner Restoration has some amazing videos about the art restoration process:

The amazing skills of art restoration are particularly appreciated where you see restorations badly done:

The Carnegie Museum of Art:  Go behind the scenes with chief conservator Ellen Baxter as she discusses the restoration process of a portrait of Isabella de' Medici:

 National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution:  After 18 months of careful conservation and analysis, Gilbert Stuart’s “Lansdowne” portrait of George Washington is back on view in the newly refurbished “America’s Presidents” gallery. 

Conservation of the “Lansdowne” Portrait of George Washington:

The Cathedral of Valencia and the restoration of the paintings there by Dr. Maria Gomez:

 

Not only paintings, but also drawings are restored. 
Watch a video showing the MET conservation of a Michelangelo drawing on loan from Christ Church Picture Gallery, Oxford:

 Art restoration sometimes means entire rooms!  The Damascus Room (1707) served as the reception area within a Syrian home of the Ottoman period. Extensive conservation and historical research were carried out by the Metropolitan Museum in preparation for the opening of the new galleries.

Conserving the Damascus Room at The Metropolitan Museum of Art:

Some restorations are mammoth and meticulous projects that go on for years, such as the restoration of the Sistine Chapel: