Colloquium restorers in Paris

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Colloquium restorers in Paris

Art Newspaper number 272

Vandalism, pollution, cracelures cracks - the destruction of works of art are varied and numerous. Restoration can restore them. However, it is important to set boundaries for which the restorer should not move so as not to deform the object. You can find many examples of indelicate restoration - the restoration of the lost arms Arles Venus to "recreate" W and ICA Perfona. This issue was devoted to the symposium recently organized by the European Confederation of experts on the art in the rooms Drouot. Its organizers have indicated that the purpose of the colloquium is to achieve greater clarity in the descriptions of objects in the sale list and certificates of examination.

Influence of restoration on the price of an object depends on its rarity. "Lately, buyers prefer to buy refurbished products because the market they are appearing less" - said the art dealer Jean-Gabriel Peer - Collectors tolerance for the restoration of an opaque earthenware, than the restoration of porcelain, marked on the light. " Typically, the restored art objects of Yat cheaper, but in some cases, restoration can become a justification for high prices on items. Thus, in 2003, Sotheby's estimated self-portrait by Rembrandt, bought from a collector Steve Uinnom, at 6.9 million pounds is based on the complexity and high quality restoration work. On the other hand, the same auction house, has chosen not to touch the portrait of the Countess de la Eur Maubourg, sold for 1.1 million euros the New York Metropolitan Museum, despite cracelures which covered her face.

Of course, there are general rules, but each area has its own specifics restoration. For example, the restoration of manuscripts and autographs primarily aimed at their preservation. "Most important is to ensure the long life of the document - says Marchand Frederick Kasten - aesthetic considerations take second place.
One can say that European dealers and collectors feel that they are an intermediate step in the chain of custodians of the past. In the U.S. there is another approach to collecting: American collectors prefer the "bleached" documents, sometimes even erased in the restoration of "unnecessary" inscription, despite the fact that they are involved in the history of the document.

Fashion and tastes of customers and determine the degree of restoration of furniture. In the 70's. antiquarians focuses mainly on the clientele of the Middle East, who loved furniture, covered with shiny varnish, and re-gilded bronze. But over the past 15 years, tastes have changed. By the remark of one of the participants of the colloquium, even in the U.S. now preferred minimally restored, more authentic furniture, for example, a chair or the secretary with the original leather upholstery.

We must acknowledge that the dose of restoration shows the quality of the merchant.