Why Art Restoration Matters
Art restoration has been prevalent in the United States since the 1920s. While some of the methods used back then are very different than what is used today, the basis of why restoration is important remains the same. People can train to be a professional art restorer and can even choose to focus on a specific type of art. Most art that needs restoring is painting, but sculptures, carpets, and paper (usually in the form of scrolls) all need restoring.
See Art as it Was
Art restoration allows people today to see what the artwork was like when it was first created. Over the years, art can become grimy, dusty, or moldy due to poor storage conditions. This can make it difficult to see what the picture is underneath. Most artwork in museums today is looked at regularly to assess any damage. If there is damage, the artwork is removed from display and restored, only going back on display once it is perfect again.
Gain New Insights
Art restorers sometimes have to chip away some of the original paint in order to create a better overall restoration. By doing this, art restorers have found that sometimes people would paint over paintings. In a 1600s painting, a whole whale was discovered that had been painted over by someone (not the artist). This gave a whole new meaning to the picture which, prior to finding the whale, only depicted a group of people on a beach.
Preservation
Most importantly, by restoring art, people of all ages are able to experience the same piece. Currently, people are able to see what famous works of art looked like when they were originally painted, but art restorers are able to keep the artwork looking brand new. In this way, 100 years from now, people will be able to see the exact same art that you see today.
Restoring art is an art in itself and, while it can take years, has great benefits for humankind.