“Paintings arrive at the studio in all states of disrepair,” shares art conservator Julian Baumgartner, who often receives artworks needing urgent attention. Among these, an anonymous portrait recently arrived folded and crammed into a parcel further mangled during transit, leading one to doubt, “Is this salvageable?” Yet, for the highly skilled painting restorer, even the most damaged pieces hold potential: “Fortune favors the fold.”
Baumgartner routinely encounters severe overpainting, substantial creases, and tears, which were all present in this particular portrait. He operates Baumgartner Fine Art Restoration in Chicago, a studio dedicated to conserving and repairing art for the enjoyment of future generations. Through his meticulous process and the use of reversible, archival materials, this previously neglected painting now stands testament to his artful rejuvenation, receiving what appears to be a miraculous new lease on life.
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Source: thisiscolossal.com