Art Restoration Questions
What is the difference between art restoration and conservation?
Art Restoration is a process that utilizes a variety of techniques to restore a painting as closely as possible to its original condition.
Art Conservation stresses doing the minimum work required to preserve the artwork and prevent it from deteriorating from it’s current condition
The distinction may seem subtle but can be important depending on the individual painting and your goals.
If it’s an important historical work or something that will be sold in the future, we usually lean more toward the conservative approach, as collectors place greater value on a painting that has as few alterations as possible.
If your painting more sentimental value and you want it to look beautiful again, then we will generally recommend a more aggressive restoration that may involve re-lining and/or extensive in-painting.
Often times, some level of restoration is unavoidable. Indeed, many museums have important works which have extensive repairs. Often, a combination of the two philosophies is recommended in order to balance the integrity of the repair with the goals and budget of the client.
Regardless of the approach, we always use archival techniques that are 100% reversible.
Learn more about our Artwork Conservation & Restoration Process
How will restoration affect the monetary value of my painting?
Collectors place higher monetary value on paintings that have not been altered in any way. But if your painting is damaged, then it has already lost some value. The key to preserving monetary value is to not do more than necessary to fix the damage. This could mean a patch to fix a small hole, or it could mean a lining to repair a major tear or flaking that will stabilize the issue and prevent it from becoming worse and needing more invasive work in the future.
The bottom line is that a well-done, professional repair, if appropriate for the extent of the damage will not harm the value and will likely increase it.
What does lining or relining mean?
Lining a painting is an aggressive form of restoration, and generally only used when absolutely necessary or when the client wants a sentimental piece to look as close to perfect as possible.
It involves bonding the existing canvas to a new one using a layer of archival adhesive or wax. This process is often used to stabilize severe crazing and flaking in order to prevent or stop paint loss. It is also used to repair large tears or holes that cannot be fixed with a patch.
Occasionally, with heavily textured or very thick layers of paint, a rigid support is necessary between the two canvases in order to help generate the pressure needed to flatten and fuse the surface back to the canvas. This portrait painting is a good example of re-lining with a rigid support.
While the result of a new lining is often flawless, it can reduce the monetary value of a painting when not necessary. However, because it is such a robust and relatively seamless repair, it can be a great choice in many situations.
How are oil paintings cleaned?
Cleaning an old or vintage oil painting that has yellowed or darkened is a methodical process that must be done carefully. The results can be stunning, but it’s not always a straightforward process.
The first step is to is remove any loose surface dirt or dust with air or a dry brush. Often, a solvent is used to carefully remove yellowed varnish, taking great care and checking frequently to make sure no color is being transferred. A stop action solution is then applied so that the solvent does not begin to remove the paint layer.
All paintings are first tested in a small inconspicuous area to avoid adverse reactions and to assess the degree of cleaning that will be possible. The difference can be dramatic or subtle depending on numerous factors. Being overly aggressive with cleaning can lead to “scrubbing” of the paint. Therefore, as with most conservation efforts, it is considered best practice to tread lightly and not try to do too much. “Less is more”.
Is it worth having my painting restored?
It depends on the painting, the extent of the damage, and most importantly, your ultimate goal.
If you are planning on selling the painting and have no sentimental attachment, then its often a simple matter of math to determine if the cost of the repair will be more than the value of the painting without the repair. We can help you in assessing the value and factoring in additional costs like auction fees or other commissions. Sometimes the answer is obvious and other times it’s a little more nuanced.
With a painting that has deep sentimental meaning to you or your family, the calculous is completely different. It’s a personal matter of balancing the cost of the repair with your level of attachment. Often times, we will be able to give you options in different price ranges so you can comfortably make a decision that’s right for you.
