Customer Reviews

The Restoration of Paintings

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is an excellent overall and very detailed view of the conservation of paintings. Actually it is one of the most thorough and up to date books on the subject I have ever seen. Very well written and documented with many photographs and an extensive bibliography and many notes for further research. This book clearly shows the skills, knowledge, and expertise needed and in use today by professional conservators around the world and it could easily be used as a complete reference book for those interested in the subject or even as a textbook for anyone studying art conservation.

I read this book when I was applying for a graduate program in the restoration of easel paintings. I needed to get a broad--but also reasonably in-depth--overview of types of damage to paintings and restoration and preservation techniques, and this book was great for that. It thoroughly covers all types of damage to paintings on panel and fabric support, along with corrective and preventive techniques. As I mentioned before, it covers a whole range of areas while still giving them sufficiently in-depth attention. There are tons of color illustrations that are invaluable in helping you understand what they're talking about. I didn't rate it five stars for two reasons: (1) it frequently describes the use of specialized equipment used by restorers, and if you're not familiar with this equipment it can be kind of difficult to completely follow what they're describing, and (2) it also doesn't have the most up-to-date information. Not that the information that is there is out of date by any means, but if you're interested in cutting-edge restoration theory, this book is not going to have it. But from what I gather, this book is one of the most highly regarded in the restoration field (the faculty of the program I applied to keeps it on-hand as a reference book).

Also, be warned--if you're looking for information on wall paintings, this is not going to have it. It just covers panel paintings.

Rather technical, with many lovely color illustrations of the subject and techniques. This is a shwank reference for all manner of questions about restoration and reconstruction of paintings. You could learn much just from the pictures and captions.

The text itself is top-notch. Explanations are clear and complete. A wealth of footnotes and bibliography.

An absolutely wonderful book. A highly informative dissertation on the conservation and restoration of paintings. This visual book covers all the aspects of the art of restoring paintings, canvases, panels, varnishes, backgrounds, etc. Detailed chapters include types of damage ( blanching, craquelure, fallout, separation, fissures, infestations etc.) their analysis, and most intiguingly the various methods of repair..

Full of before/after projects, macro photos, and extraordinary procedures.
There is a whole chapter on the formation of various wood, its structure, composition, and properties. The 'paint layer' chapter is unbelievable.

This is the smaller (but not a small book) version of the $$$ bible by the same author (Knut Nicolaus (translated from german)). Oh sure there are whole masters programs and detailed technical journals relating to the art of restoring art. If you are into the world of art you will not be disappointed with this book.

This a a very detailed, professional book concerning the subject of restoring oil paintings. Though the author trys to talk anyone out of just using this book to try to learn how to do restoration work without expert training, I did restore several paintings using this as my guide and it was a great help with some good insight as to how to proceed. I recommend this book to artists who want to try restoration work. Just don't try to restore any Van Goghs without the formal expert training as well.

As a private restorer/conservator I view this book as a good ffee table format overview of easel painting . This book must not be used as a guide for would be restorers Please on't attempt to repair your antique painting using this book as your basis of knowledge.
The subject of painting conservation is very complicated as well as controversial. Methodology and materials are revised as we learn the effects of past treatments and current research. This is a good book to get a better idea as to the rather complicated set of factors involved in painting restoration and will give a greater appreciation to the general public of the craft . This is in no way a how to guide and will not take the place of more formalized training.