Restoring The Faceless Painting Part 2

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Facing a challenge as big as this required a bit of unconventional thinking, flexibility, and the testing of a few new techniques. We stepped into a realm of discomfort to address the losses and might have stumbled upon a unique approach that will pay dividends... we'll see...
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[marthaanderson]

the cooperation from the Hermitage is a huge win for art over everything else.

[slingingblueberries]

I'll admit to being a little disappointed that I won't be watching you figure out how to construct a fitting face from nothing. But I'm really stoked that you contacted the Hermitage and they went to a lot of trouble to get you those photographs. Brilliant idea having it printed on the canvas!

This channel never ceases to amaze me.

[Drew_Snydermann]

I voted, as a face, for Baumgartner's self portrait, beard and all, that would have been a hilarious restoration. "Best I could do."

[wendybird]

Poppy is 100% an essential part of the studio

[wecole]

One of the things I am most impressed by is the mentality of this studio. Throughout these videos I hear a lot of "...when this piece is restored again in the future..." and "...years down the line when the next restorer un-does our work..." It really shows that they don't think of their work as the end-all, be-all work on each painting. They show an understanding that they are just helping to pass the art on to future generations and that at some point their work may need to be set aside for the greater good; they go out of their way to make that transition into the future as painless as possible. I really like that.

[Nightenstaff]

As someone who works with clients sending photographs to be printed, I feel very confident in saying the photos were likely taken at a high resolution and then reduced in quality during the transferring/sending process. With today's technology, it's harder to take a low(-ish) resolution photograph than it is to take a high(-ish) resolution photograph. However, sending or uploading high resolution photographs can be challenging. Unless you tell your device to send the photo 'Actual Size' or 'Full Resolution' it will default to a medium resolution version to save on bandwidth. It's a fight I fight with clients every single day.

[serenity]

I love that you respect and care for copies and nameless paintings every bit as much as masterpieces with fancy provenance. Kudos to the Hermitage for working with you. You're all working together to preserve and honor art. It's lovely

[resonantmoonaudio]

"The mark of a good conservator is to have your work go unseen". I'm an audio book editor/ proofer and that is the whole point of my job too. Must be why I enjoy the channel so much.

[amazinggrace]

Love how Kit has more confidence and knowledge to give opinions and observations. We grow as she grows. Such a perfect pairing.💕🐝💕

[kmw]

During part one I assumed you would try and find a picture of this painting. Since it's a copy of the original, a picture of the original would certainly do the trick. Of course, I was thinking you would refer to that picture and then paint the face yourself on filler canvas. The idea of having the face printed on canvas and using that as the insert for a "paint by number" guide for matching it to the rest of the painting is a logical step, but one my mind didn't jump to. Cool!

[XYGSteve]

I went to the National Gallery (in DC) this weekend. I've always enjoyed museums, and naturally I gravitate to styles or artists or pieces that resonante with me, but your restorations have given me a greater appreciation for the details of art that I simply 'glossed over' before. From impasto to brush strokes to the condition of the art, I was seeing things that I had never seen before and appreciated the work of both the artist's work and the conservators & curators that displayed them. I even noticed the selection of lighting in a room that would enhance a painting. I just wanted to offer my gratitude for helping me to appreciate something so beautiful in a new way.

[ejtappan]

I didn't realize this was a copy of an original, so I assumed you would have to pull up a bunch of period examples to reimagine the face. But being able to give yourself any kind of genuine template to follow from the original is such a genius way to go about it.

[mcingprogress]

i didn't realise i've been binge watching your restoration videos... until yt recommend your videos that literally just uploaded 20s ago 🤯

[graemetimoney]

It is possible that in a hundred years time this method will be commonplace, and any future restorers will refer to it as doing a Baumgartner.

[merisyates]

Kit's dog is absolutely an essential member of the team 💕

[cynthiat]

Brilliant! If it’s a conservation in the future, they will think you were absolutely BRILLIANT! Bravo to the Hermitage being so cooperative! You are so resourceful!

[ev.is.painting]

hey Julian ! I’m starting at an art school in September, but tomorrow morning is my first GCSE exam and this video is the only thing calming me enough to sleep. Thank you so much for what you do, even if most of us are sleepy teenagers <3

[Bildgesmythe]

Fantastic solution for the missing face!

[LynxLynx]

Poppy is quality control officer making sure nobody in the Studio is using staples 😂

[ИринаМ-юе]

And there I was with "Where have I seen this painting before?"
Preserving art all over the world is one of the noblest things to do, universally.