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03/04/2009 09:00:54 AM · #1 |
Not too long ago, there was a worldwide contraversy over whether or not Michelangelo's David should go through an extreme makeover for his 500th birthday. It was eventually successfully cleaned, with no ill affects (never mind that within months the grime had returned!). But, Da Vinci's Last Supper was not as fortunate. After its restoration, the famous fresco was left faded and pale.
My Art History class is having a discussion about whether or not famous masterpieces should be restored. My initial response was, why not...if it will prolong their lifespan so that future generations may enjoy them. But, then put in the context of my OWN art...my tune changed. I don't want other's messing with my work...possibly changing my intention. I can't imagine Da Vinci intended the Last Supper to be washed out and pale.
My question is...as an artist would you want someone else touching your work for restoration's sake?
NOTE: I personally feel, there should be a registry where artists can express their feelings about whether their works should be restored...a last will and testament, of sorts. You never know which of us has a masterpiece within them!
Message edited by author 2009-03-04 09:19:32. |
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03/04/2009 09:08:15 AM · #2 |
| The question isn't whether DaVinci would want the "Last Supper" to be washed out and faded, but more about how he'd want it to age. Despite people's beliefs to the contrary, art isn't permanent. It may outlive generations, but ultimately, it will all deteriorate, age and be destroyed by time. |
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03/04/2009 11:14:21 AM · #3 |
It has always seemed to me that restoration that aims to "return" a painting to its original state is a bit of a joke. Who really knows what "original" is, anyway? But I'm in sympathy with the need to arrest the deterioration of works of art wherever possible. Frescoes, however, present an interesting problem because they are painted directly on building surfaces, and if these surfaces aren't prepared properly (often they were not) then there's this extreme deterioration happening from BEHIND...
It's an interesting topic.
R.
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03/04/2009 11:30:21 AM · #4 |
Interesting topic for thought. Makes me think of people who do temporary art. In my home town, every year they take the sidewalks encircling a city park, and artist of all levels of talent come from all over, to create with chalk. But in a couple of days, it is all washed away. There is some amazing stuff that gets done, but it is a fleeting moment in time.
Other art is designed for the long haul. One thing I do notice in this discussion is that some artists seem to feel that anything they have created, is theirs to control forever. Yes to some, it is much like a child. But once your child goes out into the world, you have less and less control, till you have little or none.
Perhaps the first question should be, does an artist have control over everything they've created for time and eternity. In the case of the above mentioned works, they were commissioned works, and the artist no longer owned them.
Perhaps the only way to guarantee control, is for the artist to never sell their work, and specify it be destroyed upon their death.
If your art is really fit for the ages, then likely no matter what you wanted, the citizens of that day will make their decision anyway. Not to mention that what we each see in an artwork may or may not be what the artist intended for us to see, even in the beginning.
Message edited by author 2009-03-04 11:31:41. |
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03/04/2009 03:07:07 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by imagesbytlp:
Not too long ago, there was a worldwide contraversy over whether or not Michelangelo's David should go through an extreme makeover for his 500th birthday. It was eventually successfully cleaned, with no ill affects (never mind that within months the grime had returned!). But, Da Vinci's Last Supper was not as fortunate. After its restoration, the famous fresco was left faded and pale.
My Art History class is having a discussion about whether or not famous masterpieces should be restored. My initial response was, why not...if it will prolong their lifespan so that future generations may enjoy them. But, then put in the context of my OWN art...my tune changed. I don't want other's messing with my work...possibly changing my intention. I can't imagine Da Vinci intended the Last Supper to be washed out and pale. |
I'm absolutely positive that Leonardo doesn't give a single thought to what we do with his work nowadays. He be dead. :D
Originally posted by imagesbytlp:
My question is...as an artist would you want someone else touching your work for restoration's sake? |
Although my daughter rescued some of my paintings from my parents estate sale recently, I doubt that anyone living 500 years from now will worry about restoring them. If I were somehow still around at the time, then I'd probably feel honored that someone thought enough of my art to consider it worth preserving. I'd also try to find a way of making a few bucks off the deal.
Originally posted by imagesbytlp:
NOTE: I personally feel, there should be a registry where artists can express their feelings about whether their works should be restored...a last will and testament, of sorts. You never know which of us has a masterpiece within them! |
I have no problem with that, as long as it's only a registry of the artist's desires and doesn't place any financial burden on the public. In other words, there should be nothing that requires taxpayers to foot the bill for restoration of any such registered artwork.
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03/04/2009 03:45:58 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by ambaker:
Interesting topic for thought. Makes me think of people who do temporary art. In my home town, every year they take the sidewalks encircling a city park, and artist of all levels of talent come from all over, to create with chalk. But in a couple of days, it is all washed away. There is some amazing stuff that gets done, but it is a fleeting moment in time. |
Similarly with Buddhist (and other) sand-paintings, and with those who sculpt in ice, cake, and other edibles ...
Message edited by author 2009-03-04 15:52:49. |
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