A New Dawn: The Restoration of L'Aurora Part 1

Support for this video comes from Skillshare

Support me on Patreon
---

Every now and then a project comes into the studio that is so desperate for intervention that the scope of the work involved seems insurmountable. Yet those are just the types of projects conservators thrive on; the ones that look disastrous, require a phenomenal amount of work and creativity but if treated right and with care and precision will respond beautifully.

Such is the case with this copy of Guido Reni's masterpiece "L'Aurora". Though the artist is unknown it was clearly executed with great skill and for a copy the scale is rather impressive. The same cannot be said about its condition. Having suffered water damage there is a tremendous amount of paint loss and what paint remains is perilously attached to the canvas. Several massive holes, tears, and canvas losses have also threatened the structural integrity of the work. Suffice it to say this will be a magnum opus of conservation.

But that's what we live for.

[BaumgartnerRestoration]

Hey folks, sorry I left you hanging there at the end. Part two will post on Monday the 18th (lets just hope I can finish editing it 😜)

[stumbling]

"This isn't taught in any books..."
"This isn't from a book..."
DUDE, write a book.

[regnbuetorsk]

customer: shows up with crumbling painting
Julian: so, you've chosen resurrection...

[jamwar]

I wonder if he realizes how much happiness he gives people.

[ComradeAlpharius]

Me before: "It doesn't look that dirty."
Me 2 minutes later, seeing a cleaned portion next to a dirty portion: "I was a fool."

[ian_b]

Baumgartner: five inches of mercury
Me: yes I totally agree, good choice

[rivermaki]

Julian: *Cleans a painting*
Me, every time without fail: Omg it was white :0

[chelseasanchez]

Julian: *starts removing the discolored varnish*
Me, every time: “wow, the paint got brighter!”

[davchow]

Dear Mr. Baumgartner just wanted to let you know you inspired me to start painting again. I’m in my 70’s and watching you handle and solving this theses difficulty painting situation and to restore them to its past glory is very inspiring. Thank you!

Folks thank you for all your encouragement!

[mutantmonkey]

“Now at this stage i can face the painting”
Me at 3am, eating cheetos: with washi kozo or japanese mulberry paper, of course

[nicolecox]

Julian: *breaks out the bowl of cotton swabs*
Me, in my room at 4 AM: YAAASSS

[skiingcrocodile]

"I'm gonna leave you with the cleaning and some Bach, I'll be back soon"
I've never felt more loved in my entire life 😭😭😭

[stephanienoire]

Julian: statement
Me: agreement
Julian: statement
Me: agreement
Julian: hahaha an ad!
Me: aahhh you got me again

[ethanbritt]

Julian handles sponsorships like a god. The only dude who seamlessly transitions to a promotion

[tatumcomer]

I remember on his early videos he was quite nervous and didn't like talking too much. But look how far he's come! Did y'all see that ad transition and intro to Bach?

[jennahansen]

"and if everything has gone right, and spoiler alert everything has gone right..." Like we don't already know that the painting is going to be perfectly bonded to the new canvas. Like I literally can't imagine him going and if everything has gone right and ....oh no...that's not good..."

[bee.]

This guy: explaining this like a tutorial
All of us at 3am: *I like your funny words magic man*

[TheBoostHeroMan]

Baumgartner's friend cuts his leg open during a night out.

Baumgartner, turning out his many hidden pockets: "the fill-in material I'm going to use is water based and removable, but it is also flexible."

[NewVandalism]

He makes me feel like a child that has a favorite teacher, he is the supreme favorite teacher, i just want to give him an apple and always attend his wonderful class

[i.robles]

I feel like it is an incredible shame that the artist may never be credited for their work. The amount of detail, the eyes, the clothes...goddamn shame. I hope their name is found later.