Becoming Whole

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Though they may be merely inanimate objects, when we love them they can be extensions of ourselves. For the objects and for us that is a fulfilling and rewarding relationship. Yet because they are extensions of ourselves when they are damaged we feel that pain acutely. And if one were to want to inflict pain upon us, they would merely need to exact an act of violence on the things we love. Such was the case with this painting, deliberately damaged in an act of violence against the owner. But through hard work, experience, and care hopefully we can help not only this painting but the owner in Becoming Whole
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[@rogthepirate4593]

Me, who has no clue about art conservation whatsoever: "Oh yeah, that's some damage, that fucker gonna need an interleaved lining for sure"

[@kianagarius29]

LOL

[@jonmcnamara]

When seeing previous conservation.. "what messy amateurs!" I exclaim, then wipe hands off on my pants.

[@Giveithope]

HAHAHA

[@summerofsteroids]

I'm not doing well, and this comment made me smile. Thank you.

[@rogthepirate4593]

@@summerofsteroids I'm glad to hear it. Whatever little bit helps, right? Hope you'll get better soon.

[@synthiamcbride7194]

While I appreciate Julian not talking about who the subject of the painting is, why the painting was destroyed, and who wants it repaired, I cannot stop myself from wondering what the story is.

[@circeus]

All we know is the damage happened quite a bit ago, possibly in a previous generation of the owner's family entirely. At least tat's what Julian seems to me to be implying the few times he hints at it.

[@JanDoggen]

As he said at the end: become a Patron. Then you get the extra vide o.

[@PieterBreda]

Someone got really mad I guess. Good kljob restauring this.

[@hjertrudfiddlecock4394]

@@JanDoggen yeah, i'm really curious but i'd just rather eat

[@kersi-sandiego6036]

He mentions at the end that details akin to what you are curious about will be conveyed to his Patreon followers.

[@defeatSpace]

Imagine how touching it would be for an artist to know that even hundreds of years later, people are still carefully caring for their art.

[@elebecepe]

More like 71 years, but I get what you mean ;)

[@defeatSpace]

​@@elebecepe 71 or googol years, neither mean any difference to the paintings and their late painters because only the living can worry about entropy :/

[@elebecepe]

@@defeatSpace who knows, maybe the dead do too (worry about entropy). Have a nice ride among the living!

[@defeatSpace]

@@elebecepe a comforting idea for sure 😌

[@anthonydelfino6171]

@@elebecepe This painting isn't even that old. The date on this painting is 1980, so just over 40 years ago. Unless the artist was older when painting this, probably even the original person to work on it is still alive just as the subject would be.

[@rachel705]

Very happy to see my girl washi kozo getting the recognition she deserves. Hope she enjoys finally spending more than a few days on a painting. Godspeed Washi.

[@benjaminmarks8765]

Julian: "Paintings don't generally spontaneously explode" Bansky: * Taking notes *

[@loralea3142]

there's something extra special about a vandalized or purposefully destroyed piece of art getting put back together. it's shows clearly how much love, time and care it takes to undo and heal from even a single act of violence. there's probably a metaphor in there.

[@Luckingsworth]

No there isn't. Pseudo profound nonsense aimed at farming likes. Also vandelized. With a d.

[@christinesizemore3]

@Kol d polis bruh, stop.

[@deeparks3112]

@@Luckingsworth If Julian's banter offends - you have the option of not watching.

[@olga138]

@@Luckingsworth Sorry, but the correct spelling is "vandalize." Lora Lea was using the right one. She should have made it past tense, that is correct.

[@loralea3142]

@@Luckingsworth wow. tbh I didnt think someone could actually be upset by that comment. I was talking about watching damaged things get fixed and put back together and how quickly art can be destroyed if someone actually tries. i said there might be a metaphor in there but I didn't actually make one. this wasn't a "BRoKen pAintiNg of bOy Is LiKe SOCIETY!" comment or anything and if that's what popped into your head and made you all bitter I'm sorry but your own brain made that connection. also yes, you did catch my typo. thanks for that ^~^

[@MunthApollo]

I'm an artist who has had a pastel portrait ripped to pieces by another party in an act of rage, and the way you described such an action resonated with me. I'm not sure I had heard it described as such. It's too late for my drawing. I wasn't able to rescue it, as it was also stolen in the process (I assume thrown away shortly thereafter). Watching this was cathartic, thank you.

[@rocknrolllowlife8493]

0:45 my mom told me this story of her entire middle and high school art collection (that she was going to use to provide an ecample of her art to go to art school with) got burned up in her front yard by her own sister. All because of an argument, in my eyes that's worse than burning anything else, and I cant imagine the pain she felt

[@watisean.]

That is fucking terrible, hope your mother's doing well, bless her soul

[@adailydrawingmustache4604]

I'd have thrown her in💀

[@MariaPaula-uw3ds]

OMG your aunt is sadic!

[@rocknrolllowlife8493]

@@MariaPaula-uw3ds yep agreed. She's messed up

[@arielvalentine2500]

i literally would have burnt everything my sister owned if she did that to me

[@mariem.5613]

"I once accidentally glued a painting to the table" I almost spilled my tea from laughing, this guy is so full of surprises

[@delorescarrizales4860]

i can't tell you how much i laughed..i would like to know how he did it and how he fixed the problem does he have any temper???? would like to see/hear what he did

[@delorescarrizales4860]

most people won't tell you their boos boos i like a person who tells all, after all he is not GOD, human like the rest of us i have seen his dog, any other animals i think he is married with the ring on his finger, how long, married, any children? when you do a difficult job, at the end do you just want to go to a quiet room by yourself to decompress before going out? you are becoming a STAR you're fans want to know everyhing about you

[@readifdumb]

@@delorescarrizales4860 Wtf

[@sarahwatts7152]

I think he's doing the Bob Ross move where he's modulating his voice so he has a calming effect on people. But like anyone, he's a person - so sometimes it snaps us out of it in such a great way.

[@damogranheart5521]

@@delorescarrizales4860 He brought his son to work one day. I can't remember when. It's been a while.

[@frog6306]

Of course Julian never stresses the painting, he has such a calming voice 😌

[@liaalexan224]

Lmaoo

[@julians7268]

We are a rare breed.

[@hellofromUSA062]

He could probably COAX the painting back together!!! He is definently a painting whisperer!!!

[@joes9954]

He would make a killing doing audio books. Perhaps one day when he is done cutting Japanese washi kozo. This is one I wish we could see the owners reaction to the completed repair. Maybe it is time to join Patreon.

[@hellofromUSA062]

Agreed!!!🙂

[@sophiahercules2054]

I found this channel maybe 5 years ago now and you helped me decide to go into art restoration. I had never heard of it before, and now I’m about to go to college for museum studies!

[@liberty3928]

Sophia that's wonderful 😊 Best of luck to you and enjoy your journey 🌷

[@launabanauna8958]

I must admit that watching these art restorations is alluring, it causes some people to sit around dreaming about doing it themselves, but you are not just sitting, and dreaming about it, you have the gumption to actually go forward, and do it, and best of luck to you!

[@junnidoll]

that makes two of us!!

[@sophiahercules2054]

@@junnidoll that’s amazing!! I got delayed from going but I’m actually starting in august!! So so excited to learn more

[@portobeIIa]

@@sophiahercules2054 congratulations! i myself got into conservation because of julian too! im currently studying architecture to work with restoration soon :)

Am I the only one noticing how the line of the head doesn't match up? It breaks my heart, how to bring back to life a piece of art, a bit of soul, can take so much painstaking work... But there will always be a little part of it that will remind us of the damage, the suffering. It's beautiful in its own way, but more than that, it brings a lingering sense of fragility. Memento mori.

[@cannedbeans3765]

Imagine being the disgruntled family member who cut the canvass and then seeing the painting repaired perfectly and knowing your anger and resentment have been rendered obsolete. That's a power move!

[@Siansonea]

No one is ever justified in doing this to a painting. If they're angry at someone, they need to find a better way to channel their anger. Destroying someone's artwork just makes them look like a childish savage, and any sympathy toward their situation is out the window.

[@GoingtoHecq]

@@Siansonea edgy

[@andysinthegarden]

Who's to say it isn't now the disgruntled family member themselves behind the restoration?

[@Siansonea]

@@GoingtoHecq okay, random person on the internet with an anime profile photo. Consider me read to filth.

[@da5idnz]

It sounded to me like the subject did it himself, from the way Julian was talking.

[@user-eu9ht5me5j]

Me: have trouble sleeping. Julian: “I got you bro.”

[@hopeymik]

I always fall asleep halfway through the video and have to finish it when I wake up 😭 It’s so relaxing and comforting.

[@theroseperiod5027]

i want to like but the 69 lmao

[@Wodensdsy]

BRUH 😅😅😅 ME RIGHT FUCKING NOW

[@blythe4336]

He’s my savior. When my 3rd shift brain won’t chill out I always turn him on. I’ll watch the same video 3/4/5 times to get through it. It’s a win win

[@MrTreesandstuff]

4 ads and not even halfway through though 😭 I just wanna sleep

[@sylviekoenig9960]

For me, this is the most emotional restoration you have done. Finally fixing the hair on the left, probably at the owner's request, gave me peace as the dent felt extremey traumatic.

[@BaileySarian]

Wooooooooow. That was a journey

[@danielavelasquez9524]

yeah, it really was (also i just finished watching yesterday’s video :) small world)

[@moon5497]

When the fave came through I was almost shocked He brought it back to life

[@honeybeeloolee5313]

You’re here too?!

[@luciaramirez6562]

BAILEY

[@denaristergerian]

I'm glad you come here too! And given your MMM and Dark History series, I'm sure it's to relax your mind and get rid of the negativity too.

[@allanlindskoog]

This whole video is such a parable for the healing that's necessary for someone who has suffered emotional/physical trauma. "While the damage can't be undone, perhaps the scars can be made invisible."

[@betterbelizeit]

Well said!

[@elisa8253]

And that's why it made me cry so much. So beautiful

[@raidennaz1590]

can you give me the timestamp when he said that?

[@allanlindskoog]

32:30.

[@shannonp1656]

I was thinking the same thing as I scrolled through the comments. You said it better than I could. Every step makes visible improvement. The physical strengthening is more subtle and time consuming.

[@ModestNeophyte]

I don't know why this video was recommended to me, as I am not a painter and I typically am not a consumer of this sort of content. However- I needed this. I've been having a full-night-long panic attack, and this video, aside from being the key to soothing me and helping me calm down, was truly enjoyable. Thank you so much.

[@AmandaTroutman]

Welcome to the Baumgartner family. I really hope you're feeling better, mate. 🫂

[@Ali-kb8gr]

I hope you're feeling better! 🙂

[@gitsurfer27]

When i have a panic attack rising the best way to sooth it instantly is Wim Hof breathing. Try it out, i guarantee you will feel much better after just a couple rounds.

[@avery9498]

That’s the exact way I got into this channel too. Welcome 🤗

[@nfcapps]

I hope you watched a few more after that. My favorite was the series of the wood backed painting. It was 5 or six parts. Great.

[@nicolle2126]

seeing Julian just suddenly and nonchalantly hold a paintbrush in his mouth takes me back to my own studio painting days in university. Just a small memory of easier, less stressful times unlocked

[@gabrielmerchant]

Same here ♡ I miss the smell of the studio I learned to draw and paint in...

[@Smeedyer1]

One year ago the algorithm put this video on my front page and some quirk of circumstances had me click it, watch it and thoroughly enjoy it. A year later, after consuming Julian's entire archive in various binges over the months, I return to this first video and enjoy it again. There's some epic videos, especially some of those that spread across 3-4 parts, but on watching this one again I have to say it's my favourite. There's no tack spitting, no dad jokes, no hilarious burns against shoddy conservation in the past, no terrifyingly difficult raspberry to recreate - all parts I do thoroughly enjoy in numerous other videos - but despite that there's something about this one that holds it aloft. The nature of the damage, the beautiful result, a deep desire to know the full story (and see the owner's reaction to the repair, and is the owner the sitter!?) and of course the fact it brought me to this channel in the first place. I wish I could say, like others have, that Julian's pristine work ethic has escalated my own, but no such luck just yet. Regardless, knowing there is such care in the world is pleasing and inspiring, and perhaps in another year of seeing such work in action it might start to rub off, and maybe I can consider myself ...becoming whole.

[@BaumgartnerRestoration]

Wow, thank you. This hit hard.

[@PsycheLibra]

This video should win a Webby award: it's quintessential of all Julian's videos: there's conservation technique, art history, and, always, a sublime story.

[@chainsaw242]

You also have to recognize his attention to detail when looking at the things that just happen to be 'casually' around his shop. I don't want answers or details, the stories in my head are much better.

[@xenthia]

yes.

[@pinkajou656]

And jokes. Really funny jokes.

[@FlyAway021]

Us: The Painting Julian: The washi kozo holding us together in these difficult times 😌

[@lettuse6099]

A true poet 😌👌

[@JCDadalus]

beautifully said.

[@JustSomeYTuser]

everyone say “thank you washi kozo!“

[@emily.g.929]

I stg 🙏🏻😭

[@pinkajou656]

@@JustSomeYTuser thank you washi koso!

[@dom_arigato]

for some reason i find the painting even more interesting with the damage. it adds a layer of emotion and intriguing backstory.

[@TheStarBlack]

That was my immediate feeling! The physical damage changed the painting into something new which represented to me psychological damage. But that's probably a reflection of my own situation.

[@user-hs9cl3sy1l]

​@@TheStarBlack It's not just the damage to the painting, it's also the expression on his face. Rumination, replaying ideas, concepts, events, and fantasies over and over again, utterly stuck. I only want to understand what happened to me, so I think about it until I do, and then I think about it until I can explain it, and then until I can explain it well. But the people that I want understand it, don't want to understand it, and that hurts. I have to just move on, but I can't, because this rumination has become a habit. I have this insatiable need to understand the pain I feel, so I feel it over and over, and I completely immerse myself in it, and I cry, because I can't stop what I'm doing to myself. And that is what it looks like, just a normal guy, expressionless, seeming to be entirely content with sitting in a dark room and doing nothing for very long stretches of time, yet they don't seem bored.

[@MarioMastar]

Yeah the damage to the paintings can tell a really interesting story about how it was handled. Sometimes the most interesting thing about the painting was how it was damaged. Whether due to the owner accidently dropping it on a chair (twice...Bless that guy who had to bring his freshly conserved piece back), to surviving a fire in a museum, or in the most infuriating case, poor conservation that ended up almost spitefully destroying the original painting and being PAID to ruin it (I can forgive those who just didn't know what they were doing 100 years ago or tried to conserve it themselves, but to pay someone to be that negligent as some of these happened, I can see why Julian was so angry). Especially some of the more morbid ones, it almost feels like the damage was on purpose by the original artist to convey some emotional state. Some classical artists did destroy their own work due to madness or rejection or just not liking the piece and we never really know at a glance if the damage was deliberate or not.

[@LostLargeCats]

I love how amazing your skin tone matching is, but I wish that you would have spent more time making the repaired iris match the original eye. The original one had multiple tones and highlight that made it feel living. Also, the repaired iris was a bit too vivid of a blue. I think you almost did the same thing on the painting when you overpainted the whole eye before starting over. Maybe some kind of powerful magnification would help when you are working on eyes, when those fine color tones matter so much to make a subject seem alive. Either way, great work. We all spend our whole lives learning, and your color mastery is decades above my own. 💜

[@GrimFelArt]

I can agree with this. I love Julian's work, he's a fantastic conservator; that eye is just *_off_* though. It really sticks out. I would have added some small flecks of greys and greens as an artist myself. I had an issue like this with his job on the painting he nicknamed "the brawler" too. The first peach he retouched looked, to me, misshapen. The half that he retouched should have extended out and down just a smidge further. His blending is beautiful but sometimes I notice little things that I wish he'd spent just a couple minutes more on haha Any slightly off proportions or off colours in his work really stick out unfortunately. That eye just doesn't look right, it's too bright and looks flat. Different shape, too. And the shape of the corner of the lips, the top should dip down a bit and bottom should be pulled inward to the left, both just by *_millimetres_* but it would make all the difference. His face looks lopsided

[@knory123]

@@GrimFelArt I agree with the part about the eye being a little off somehow. Also, in the very end of the video where the way the painting looked changes into the restored piece, it almost looks like the sitter has had a tear roll down his cheek, there is a slightly lighter line on the cheek where the tear used to be.

[@fjac860]

I was looking in the comments for exactly this pbservation. The "new eye" looks so... flat. I was waiting for him to finish it.

[@ibuprofriends]

i honestly can't believe he left it like that. very surprising.

[@TheStarBlack]

Does anybody else think the actual layout of the face was distorted by the damage and not put back exactly right? I feel like the left part of his face had moved slightly further to the left and perhaps rotated slightly bit wasn't corrected.

[@caffeineandlegends]

*me wondering where Julian is for two weeks* Julian: I’m back with jokes and a new spray room with ventilation system.

[@poisonousblacklotus992]

Julian's voice is so tranquil and mesmerizing. I need him to read aloud some classic novels. I am hypnotized by his tone and diction.

[@caffeineandlegends]

@@poisonousblacklotus992 I would listen to anything he says!

[@nicholaslo9483]

“Spray room” totally not his murder room

[@beepityboopity]

So basically Julian got high on fumes and became chaotic neutral

[@theroseperiod5027]

it isn’t jaundice, it’s healthy

[@nanquan491]

Seeing paintings that are so messed up, and then watching Julian putting them back together is so satisfying for some reason. That's why this has literally become one of my favorite channels on YT. Never thought I would be into Art Conservation lol

[@DrizzingSakuras]

I relate

[@jonaslundholm]

He is also mending us ...

[@Calgary27]

Thanks for excellent comme t ❤️🇨🇦❤️

[@Calgary27]

Comment!

[@cindykincade589]

I couldn't agree more! I've always loved art but have never seen or even thought about art conservation before seeing Julian's channel. Listening to his voice and his detailed work (or more like his passion) is just the perfect way to end my day. Once again thank you Julian!

[@thedanielstraight]

There's something very striking about this painting. You can sense the heaviness of the young man. I instantly want to know more about this painting and sitter, but can't seem to much info on the painter Henry Jay MacMillan.

[@artificialraspberify]

The artist who painted this, Henry Jay Macmillian, was a watercolour artist most known for his portrayal of WW2 scenes. He was stationed all over during the war and painted what he saw. He only died in 1991. He might of been alive when this painting was first hurt. It makes you wonder even more about who the subject was.

[@flutterbree]

I'm pretty sure he's caught on to the fact that his voice is "unintentional ASMR" and he's taking FULL advantage of that with a good mic... And I'm happy to listen. :)

[@RosieDuck]

i really wanna hear more about the painting that was glued to the table tho XD

[@tinydancer7426]

HUH?!

[@RosieDuck]

@@tinydancer7426 8:17 😂

[@nadiamalen]

haha, yeees!

[@vraellar]

@@tinydancer7426 watch the video and you'll find out :)

[@tinydancer7426]

@@vraellar Yeah, I watched ...... and he said, "Yeah, I did." Bu, that was the end of that conversation. He really should do a video where he tells us about all of his dumb moves and learned by making mistake events. It could prove to be most informative and very entertaining. I can imagine, "Hey, did you hear about the time I glued a painting to a table? Yeah. Then there was the time I ...... And, can't for get when I ......, etc"

[@ryoko65]

I can relate to the kind of pain inflicted because my doll collection was destroyed in front of me and I was made to clean up the pieces.... punishment for an offense or error I was unaware of. It happened many years ago, but the scar is still tender to the touch ... I have found replacements for a few of the dolls that were destroyed.... while they are not the same doll as before, they still fill in a small part of the wound. Reclaiming a part of myself as a result. I thank you for your restoration work... I wish my art skills were as masterful as yours ... Your heart is as beautiful as your restorations.... Thank you for sharing them with us. ❤️

[@christinebravomom5711]

😩❤‍🩹

[@betsymcgovern3267]

That is one of the saddest and cruelest stories I have ever heard. I hope your adult self can give the "you as a child" the most love and care. I wish I could help you replace your dolls! And hope you have found trustworthy, kind, and loving people in your life now. Best wishes and love, from someone who doesn't even know you, on your path to healing that wound.

[@florindalucero3236]

While my doll was not destroyed, whenever my mother wanted to fuck with my head she would threaten to break it.

[@WetRatGaming]

i wish a man would treat me with the same care and delicacy that julian baumgartner treats his paintings

[@JosephDavies]

"Paintings don't, generally, spontaneously explode." Generally, eh? Is this an "ask me how I know" situation? ;) The implicit exception might be a worthy tale.

[@SetoKaibasEgo]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who thought this

[@rizqirizaldo]

I always love how Julian takes care the paintings much better than I take care of myself

[@lafandenuel5605]

actually, we humans don't need such care, although we indulge ourselves with things like that.

[@nesssiah]

Watching these conservation videos, in a weird way, makes me want to pick up my paints. The thought of my own paintings being treated in such a gentle way, the colors and the brushstrokes described and noticed like that... it really makes me determined to paint, to create more.

[@neighbor3875]

This is your best video by far. The whole theme of purposeful damage slowly, but surely getting repaired played so beautifully. And the painting itself matches it so, so well: man's lost, destorted face becoming a whole, and, when the concervation pocess is finished, he's glaring condifidenly as you see his face as it was supposed to be all these years.

[@africanelectron751]

Probably a homosexual

[@rougeetnoir1252]

The sitter had an almost beautiful sadness in his expression. Clearly there’s more to his story his whole life is written on his face.

[@alisav8394]

I was looking for a comment like this one! There's such an intense look in his eyes. I want to know more about the sitter.

[@albertocabezas282]

Don't know why he reminds me of a very young David Bowman (from "2001: A Space Odissey").

[@timepoet77]

@@albertocabezas282, I was thinking a young Anthony Hopkins.

[@jaredvv86]

Those eyes are so intriguing. Sad and pondering. Love this painting

[@Siansonea]

I'm very curious about the painter and the sitter, and the circumstances of this painting's creation. This is a very personal painting.

[@usermanual02]

You need to make a video where you glue a thrift store "junk" painting to the table and show us how that's dealt with. I can't imagine getting it off the table would be easy. Maybe save this idea for an April fools day video or something of the sort.

[@StormEngineer]

Actually, demonstrating mistakes and how they can be fixed on some of those mass produced thrift store "paintings" would be something really cool to see.

[@rosetealatte9282]

Very creative idea! I like. I will try not to fall for it if he puts out something like that around that time. I just love pranks. Not ones that humiliate or hurt anyone, but a good ole prank is almost a sign of affection. For the most part, people only play pranks on people they know (and often) care about. I hope Julian knows how much we appreciate and admire him, therefore would love a prank!

[@emily.g.929]

Just a video covering “mistakes” made while conserving would be super interesting too!

[@swiftlymurmurs]

I imagine it'll be something like The Brawler

[@spiinniing]

Plenty of people have already made similar platitudes in the comments, but I couldn't help but think as I watched something repaired with such care and dedication, that I wish *people* could be repaired like this. But I guess at the end of the day we can, just different techniques, in different time frames. What a wonderful restoration video.

[@Lasomie]

There is the smallest detail in this man's expression that was changed in the restoration that I think made a big impact in a way that I personally don't enjoy. His iris was widened in the right eye. It really changes the way he looks at the audience.

[@zobazolliaseverything5670]

I agree, I was looking for a comment the saw the same thing. The painting reminds me of the scene at the end of the graduate where they are riding the bus and Simon & Garfunkel sound of silence plays. Feels like that same emotion that movie was trying to protray to me. And now to me it just looks like someone staring into space without a thought in the world. It's such a subtle difference that I was kinda surprised he didn't fix with how careful he always it. I figured he would at least ad a darker blue to give it some depth but he never did.

[@dab88]

the hairline above the ear on the left looks ridiculous with the misalignment

[@nagywywy]

Glad someone commented this, I noticed as well, but it might've been impossible to perfectly restore it. Unfortunate for sure, but at least it isn't torn now.

[@milenamartins21]

He literally removed the sparkle from the sitter's eyes 😕

[@NoeDactyl]

@@dab88 he went back and fixed it, take a look at the very last shot of the painting

[@wesplybon9510]

"It is amazing that an act that takes place over an instant, mere seconds, can require so many steps, so much work to reverse -- to undo." But that's life isn't it? So easy to cause harm, but the damage is never so quickly repaired. Baumgartner Restoration, a metaphor for life.

[@erimerrigle]

When I went to Glasgow I saw Salvador Dali's painting "Christ of Saint John of the Cross" which too had been attacked and vandalized. The repair work on it is very noticeable. I'd love to see it restored to its former glory and I think if anyone could do it would be Julian.

[@aelfrey3918]

i believe Julian brings up in previous videos the controversy of conservation for art museums. Most of the time, those institutions focus on preserving what remains of an artwork rather than try to fill in the gaps (this has something to do with interfering with the original artist's intent). Julian works for private owners who have the prerogative to have their paintings conserved the way that they want, and ask him to restore them in this way. Even so, he uses special archival paints that can be removed in case a new decision is made about the painting in the future. But that's why many damaged paintings available for public viewing are left mostly untouched.

[@kittygoblin2377]

i think that it would be really cool if it were possible

[@maksgonopolsky8374]

@@aelfrey3918 i also imagine private owners have a budget that may go a bit further than a museum may be willing to spend on a single piece. I could be wrong. Regardless, Julian is obviously more than proficient.

[@kibasmith3155]

A whole stack of my drawings were ripped and shredded in a shredder by my own mother. No other reason besides that she didn’t like them, so they weren’t allowed in her house. Even now, 15 years later at the age of 23, I still hesitate and double check and make sure that when she happens to see a drawing of mine, it’s something she won’t want to destroy because it doesn’t match her taste. Seeing you put back together something so beautiful was healing. My shredded drawings will never be recovered. But you saved this one. You helped someone heal, and along the way, helped some others patch their own inner tears and shreds a little more together again. Beautiful job done, my friend. Beautiful.

[@cyndydejoy6129]

🤗🙏

[@saphrodite1]

the amount of damage done to the face..... makes me wonder if this wasnt just a prized painting of the owner, but the owner was the sitter. or perhaps a family member who had passed. tragic. how beautiful it was to see you put it back together

[@ChristopherTate]

"paintings don't generally spontaneously explode" uh. that word "generally" is doing some pretty heavy lifting there....

[@mwater_moon2865]

On the other hand, I work with glass and especially in the kiln, "spontaneous explosions" are quite normal.

[@spankyharland9845]

unless they are Taliban paintings....that is a portrait of an IED with and IED behind it......

[@LoreCatan]

@@spankyharland9845 bro...too soon

[@spudpud-T67]

"Don't act so surprised mom, people explode everyday."

[@PetrosArgy]

It's fascinating reading through the comments about how differently we each react to artwork, damage included. Comments range from "you can see this must have been painted by a lover" to "his eyes went from sparkling to empty" to "whoever slashed that must have had some real hate towards the subject." I also think this is one of the more engaging portraits Julian has worked on and, intentional or not, the artist gave us viewers something to chew on. Julian did an amazing job restoring that. I wonder how my first impression of the subject (a young psychopath) would have been different had I seen the portrait for the first time after the repair was done. I suspect that the damage inflicted on it had some influence on how I see the young man.

[@CL-we8tn]

Nope that's how I saw him too with his face in half, I was like Julian don't give that boy eyes that are alive, the artist painted dead eyes for a reason

[@ShinyAvalon]

How odd that you see a psychopath. I see someone sad and defeated, and wonder what must have happened to such a young man to create such a look.

[@leoribic1691]

​@@ShinyAvalon Me too. I see profound unhappiness and resentment, maybe even for the artist.

[@muffinlamp]

as an artist myself, it really makes me feel like my work matters to see someone put so much care into keeping a piece alive.

[@Songbirdstress]

I know right. Some of Julian's painters are far from famous. I think could they know, they would be chuffed to bits to see someone take so much care of them 200 years later. Watch Van Gogh visiting a museum in Dr Who, but make sure you have a tissue! 😊

[@random02735]

I've always had trouble sleeping due to ADHD not being a good mix with trauma/flask back's. To be honest I'm too tired to really understand the deeper meaning in this but it has soothed me to a certain extent and I am grateful for it. Thank you for the beautiful content

[@buhle7651]

Me too. So sorry to hear that you struggle with that. ♥️ Although hard to find, it's good to have these temporary distractions

[@andreamercier393]

So sad to realize that little white speckle in the eye wasn't a highlight but paint lost so fixing it meant his eye went from sparkling to empty

[@Rhaifha]

Yeah, I kind of don't like the eyes on the end result. Of course that doesn't mean Julian did a bad job, but they're so "dead inside"!

[@miel8729]

i'm not the only one!! the eyes got a bit lost ):

[@matilda6851]

Eyes are definitely the hardest part to create for this reason

[@Zveebo]

How do you know that it was paint loss? Given he misaligned the canvas around the tear and by doing so completely distorted the face and even created a massive dent in the side of the face, he clearly was t firing on all cylinders for this one.

[@GlitchyBastard]

@@matilda6851 Oops, salty boy strike again!😅

[@mrgeorge19971]

Its so bizzare how you feel that you get to know the person sitting in this chair just by looking at recreation of his face on some painting! Amazing work!

[@seonaelizabethcoster8465]

What a striking painting! As Julian worked in the face, ESPECIALLY those stunning, striking, focused, and deep blue eyes, I could see the sitter come back to life. The gravitas of the sitter, the intensity of their gaze, both the initial artist, and of course Julian, have done a remarkable job conveying that into the canvas for the viewer to see. I wonder about the sitter; who were they, what did they go on to become? What had their life been like to create such an intense visage, what has it been since?

[@wasabisushi404]

This was near perfect. Only gripe with the restoration was how the canvas wasnt tugged back together where it teared. It fits like a puzzle piece. There would have been even less space to paint if the left of the head was aligned properly. I can see where you painted the head to connect. Still not bad and maybe 100 years from now, it’ll get a restoration again. Always love watching your work julian!

[@anyaalikhan9786]

Julian: uploads a video me, grabbing chips and and turning off the lights: A DAMAGED PAINTING WOOOOO

[@danaondrackova3431]

I would seriously host Baumgartner marathon evenings :D

[@marg5404]

I squeal with joy when a new Baumgartner vid appears and then set aside time to watch.

[@Margie555]

LMAO same 👀👀👀

[@Thestephouse1]

I'd come!

[@lisah-p8474]

Such a beautiful blending of craftsmanship, artistry, and storytelling.

[@heilamessy]

and hard work.

[@deffdefying4803]

@@heilamessy That’s implied by “craftsmanship”

[@brianlawson363]

I am fortunate to be lucky enough to have inherited an original work by Cezanne. My grandmother was French and I see the work in ways and terms that no other human ever could. It is the first thing I see every day. There are only two people who can get even remotely close to it. I simply can't take a chance that someone could attack and destroy the memories attached to an amazing work of art with which I have been blessed to own.

[@BosisofSweden]

I would have loved to see the owners face when he opened the package with the restored painting. Magic!

[@AlreadyTiredOfYou]

A story about hatred, violence, resentment, trauma. Also a story about healing, restoration and hope. You are, truly, a treasure. Thank you for making this. Thank you for sharing it with us, for allowing us to witness.

[@flowerwishes9936]

"That's what a square is supposed to be, square" Me:.........SQUARESPACE

[@Sunila_DragonladyCH]

I thought the same... shame there was another sponsor this time :P

[@nadiamalen]

Oh yeah, missed opportunity right there.

[@Margie555]

was waiting on Squarespace reference too

[@annytube]

@@nadiamalen think it was another of those brilliant Julian's puns on himself :)

[@Lasdary]

meanwhile, my pedantic ass: That's a rectangle, my dude.

[@wolfdogdav]

This reminds me of when I was still in grade school. I had drawn something without tracing for the first time. I finally learned something, and all it took was for my class to leave to lunch, and leaving my backpack alone in the classroom, for someone to take the opportunity of my absence to trash my desk, throw my bag around and rip up my drawing. My heart broke. I didn't draw anything again for 6 years. I'll never forget that pain. Video helped me feel a little better. Maybe one day I'll draw again on traditional media.

[@tomithebunny]

I love, love, LOVE watching you reconstruct the face on this piece. I already found the subject of the portrait extremely striking even when the piece was damaged, so to see the full vision of the sitter's face was absolutely beautiful.

[@FM-nm4ng]

I wouldn't mind hearing about the backstory of who vandalized the painting and why they did it.

[@taram1222]

Any damage to the painting, can be felt by us... Dorian Gray entered the chat

[@FicGhostWriter]

😂😂😂

[@sailorarwen6101]

Lol

[@zombiesabrr]

i was gonna say the same thing hahah 😲😲

[@galaxymoon8071]

entered*

[@PataPtichou]

I thought exactly the same !

[@ottiliaottilia]

His videos are the only thing saving me from hours of overthinking and anxiety, sometimes many days a week. There's not much else that can do that. I'm very grateful.

[@JustSayin916]

I can across this video by accident. I am in awe! How absolutely fabulous! What a joy to watch skill, experience, and patience achieve such an honest and thorough restoration. I can see the love you have for your work in every step you take. Thank you for making it possible for me to watch your inspired work. Amazing!

[@afonsobpm]

Imagine dating someone like this guy. The philosophy and the art is amazing. The days are never the same and you get to aplaude every step. How cool!

[@caitchri2426]

I’m married to someone like him, and sometimes it gets obnoxious 😅

[@VenkaKoda]

@@caitchri2426 it seems like sometimes too much is just too much

[@DonnaChamberson]

@@caitchri2426 I was gonna say. Sometimes they act like they’re curing cancer or something. Must be irritating.

[@cheryldavis8776]

@Cate Chri & Bessie Washington - Well, there's always something to be said for that all important element: BALANCE.

[@lunchboxqueen]

Did you just “Manic Pixie Dream Guy” the art restoration dude?

[@spegynmerbles3993]

The message of this video really helped me out. Trauma may be painful and you may feel like you’ll never be whole, but through careful and precise attention you can be beautiful again. I never thought I’d cry to a painting restoration video, but here we are

[@zachdickson8267]

Your words and perspective on this painting, the damage incurred and the human emotions surrounding them from all parties and chronological moments involved has given me much to consider that I never have before seeing this video. Well done.

[@michaelflick1177]

I think this is the most remarkable recovery of a damaged artwork that I have seen you achieve. It truly is a miraculous transformation that displays all your expertise. What an incredible journey.

[@ookaookaooka]

This is probably one of my favorite paintings you've restored, it looks like it was made by a lover

[@Reggie_la]

Yes!! Yes!! A lover. A dedicated friend. A close sibling. It's like they painted the personality along with the body.

[@Casinogirl56]

And then they had a huge argument and here we are.

[@DRP1609]

He is sitting there like somebody told him. A little disgruntled.

[@PaulFurber]

The Japanese have a concept: kintsukoroi - something that is more beautiful for having been broken that I think applies here. Exquisite work.

[@Toasterloaf]

Thank you so much for sharing this experience with us. I watched a couple of your videos from years ago, and I think you've definitely improved, and know exactly why people watch you. Your voice and tone is quiet, but not too quiet that it's a whisper. That is the exact thing I look for in ASMR. None of the scraping or sounds of work, but a gentle caress with your voice. It keeps me relaxed.

[@martinstauce1946]

As a TV editor and a painter I find these restoration videos doubly enjoyable. Triffic !

[@CaptainShonko]

I see in the last cut shot of the restoration you went back and retouched that hairline above the left ear, bravo, it was drawing the eye! The whole ear was brought down a few cm due to the gash I reckon, didn't quite sit straight when it went back together.

[@TheInfinitySystem]

Glad we weren't the only ones obsessing over that

[@z-licious]

I noticed that too.

[@Nukle0n]

First video of this channel where i don't like the result.

[@hildemulderij]

Exactly! It looked wierd and crooked, normally I really like the end result but now I kept saying, that's not right lol

[@michaelbruun19]

I saw it to. But it had been broken for some time and any type of fabric will shrink over time sadly and paintings are normally under a small amount of stress and being stretched so when you take the stretching away, any type fabric will try too shrink back too a relaxed state. only thing too fix the shrink whole have damaged the painting even more. (he whole have need to pull on the broken parts and it whole probably make it rip more

[@brose04008]

I love how you aren’t just conserving a piece here, you’re sticking it to the vandal. You’re seeing to it that they don’t get the win here.

[@emmanuelu.9481]

Not sure why but I almost started crying. We all have some scars and we hide them, but although they might not disappear, at least they don't hurt anymore. It is all part of the healing process. it's on us to start the restoration process on ourselves. Astonishing job as always. Love this channel and the work you do, you are an inspiration for thousands. Please keep up sharing this with us.

[@stephanieg6680]

This was magical. I was entranced, especially during the retouching portion, with the beautiful music that went along perfectly as the face became whole. Julian is a master at every step (we all know this!). Thanks for a wonderful interlude.

[@xdoctorblindx]

Julien: The painting came from a stable home. The painting: DID YOU NOT SEE THE GIANT SLASH?

[@monkeygraborange]

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! 👌

[@Antaios632]

🤣 I was like "well...."

[@Dirty_Squirrell]

Absolutely fantastic restoration. You definitely earned your pay with this one! The artist is Henry Jay McMillian, a renowned artist from Wilmington, North Carolina. He was known for his Southern drawl and tempermant, that crackled with age. You've done him justice, Mr. Baumgartner.

[@2eleven48]

The painting is called 'Untitled', that, or that it wasn't given a title at all. Thank you for your information, Mr Squirrell.

[@justrelaxing1501]

i researched the artist as well and was interested to learn that he did drawings for the Army during WWII

[@theseabee-wizard1664]

I really appreciate this video. It has some lovely quotes and really helped me with some writer’s block I’ve been having, it brought me some peace. Art restoration is a really interesting thing to learn about and seeing a painting damaged like this one be put back together feels.. good in a special kind of way to me as an artist. There’s just something about it to me, that you can make something, and even if years and years and years pass and it ages and the colors change and it’s become damaged, (be it from contempt, jealousy, hate, grief- from another party or even yourself, the artist) another person will see it and want to put it back together, no matter how long or careful or tedious the process. It feels like... if I was a ghost, seeing one of my paintings be loved enough despite whatever I or others thought of it to be put back together like this would bring me peace, finally. I think that’s the best way I can describe it. Something about humanity and our ability to care.

[@katherinewilkinson9428]

What a beautiful comment

[@kjamison5951]

I do not know how to articulate my feelings regarding your video and what you achieved. Your soft descriptive narration, beautifully framed shots and tidy editing are sublime. Your video was recommended to me and having watched it in its entirety, I liked and subscribed without hesitation. I had the privilege of working with several very talented art teachers in a previous job and I gained a great respect for their creativity. My dear friend, who passed last year, commented on the meticulous skills needed to be an art restorer. She had majored in Fine Art and understood the expertise needed to achieve a close to perfect result. It can never be perfect but your work is as close to it as is possible. Thank you.

[@Blue_LavaLamp]

When he slides the painting onto an acid-free foam core... 👌😭✨

[@tdmj2812]

The caring aspect that Julian shows his work is worth the watch alone.

[@LucaL95]

Although I think Julian did a very good job, I think the part near the face was deformed with the breakage and needed to be brought closer to the right edge since the hair doesn't match. So you can also see that the edge of the canvas is warped.

[@RacingPepe]

Amazingly done. I never knew the steps that went into something like this and I was a bit skeptical about how much you would be able to bring back. But this was way beyond my expectations, just amazing. It just makes me wonder if the person who damaged it has watched this video. The way it was slashed seems like an act of impulse which they may have come to regret (not justifying anything here). But I just WANT that person to see you Ctrl+Z the hell out of their unnecessary act of violence.

[@mmabelward]

i guessed 1950 for when this painting was made and it actually is.. feeling very smug rn 🕺🏻

[@HouseWinchester1874]

The clothing the boy/young man is wearing in the painting looks 1950s.

[@Daggeira]

@@HouseWinchester1874 Eh, it could also pass as being from the 80s.

[@elizabethgatchell4546]

I think the combo of the hair, pose, clothing and color pallet give a very 50s vibe

[@benoitglon3065]

and maybe because it is written 1950 on the picture?

[@cherylr8988]

@@Daggeira except that the signature includes the date of 1950 and he said when removing the varnish that it's 1950

[@fasteddy07]

I’m watching this while sitting in bed on acid-free, conservation-grade sheets.

[@peasandmashedpotatoes6246]

Paintings wish they were you

[@mr.grumpy]

My sheets are canvas. :-(

[@meeseification]

Linen sheets are so awesome! Ask me how I know...

[@ckent32]

HA!

[@Seti-wn2dv]

I was struggling with my body issues, crying and not feeling good... But u came up and made me feel better. Thank you from the bottom of my heart

[@hengedraws]

It’s interesting seeing a painting of someone in a more modern looking outfit, not like a fancy suit, but more like something we would wear today, just cool

[@samantha.redacted]

it’d be fun to see a tutorial for artists on how to make their pieces easy to conserve!

[@ampz1466]

I'd love that so much!!

[@elixir6139]

use grade a materials, enough gesso so the oil paint won’t eat the canvas, an oil paint mixture that’s fat over lean so it won’t crack, not too much solvent that breaks down paint, or paint that yellows. use a high quality varnish that doesn’t yellow as well. keep them out of direct sunlight/ heat or extreme temperature change

[@tsnap4]

I'm sure there are steps that someone housing or displaying the art can take, but the decisions the artist takes, such as the composition of the medium to the various methods of application, all affect how the art is viewed, and I don't see him wanting to dictate or influence the artist in such a way.

[@samantha.redacted]

@@tsnap4 I just wanna know what the nice canvasses are dude

[@elixir6139]

@@samantha.redacted linen

[@chaos_opossum]

I have insomnia and a slew of other mental issues and I can always count on your videos to solve my issues. Your voice is so soothing, I often browse your videos to fall asleep, you've cured my artists block multiple times, you've even brought me down from a panic attack. Thank you for being someone who makes everything better in my life. 💗💗❤️🖌️🎨

[@aviancoleslaw]

I was on the edge of tears for the better half of this. Something about this, seeing the painting come back together, it really spoke to me. Beautiful work.

[@WilldoAldone]

Beautifully brought back to life. With your descriptions of what happened I felt all the pains and anguish the owner felt.

[@BetamaxFlippy]

I can see that no matter what the torn part never really went back in place, the final picture of the painting shows a final touch-up to realign the contour of the hair just above the ear.

[@RobbieHatley]

I don't think it was retouching. Look closely at 32:14 and then at 33:03 and you can see that the the young man's right ear (on the left side of the painting) has moved about 1/2 inch to the right. So I'm guessing everything was un-done and re-done.

[@jessejacobsen728]

@@RobbieHatley I'm glad someone else noticed this.

[@danno1111]

@@RobbieHatley No, there was just some off-camera adjustment of the hair to remove the 'step'.

[@jasons9663]

You can see even more clearly right before he puts the filler in prior to mounting it to the frame. At 16:38 you can plainly see where the edge of the painting is noticeably not straightly aligned at the tear.

[@chadjenkins4846]

I so glad somebody said something it's like he didn't line it up...the face is distorted because of the stretch of the canvas... seems like steps to align everything would've been taken.. the hairline being brought out is one thing..but the face distortion..who knows what the original looked like..was the nose that wide..the eye that low... lining up a canvas is tricky..but threads stay somewhat in a line..there should've been more work done to reduce the stretch before rushing and filling in the gaps.

[@lililangtry1881]

It's very interesting to see that people identify either to the vandal or the owner, everyone has a hunch that really says more about their personal history and mindset than anything else... Some even suggest owner and vandal are the same person, again giving interesting insight into their own frame of mind. The way people react to the sitter himself is also fascinating, some seeing an innocent gentle soul, others a spoiled brat or even a malevolent person. I'd love to have the final answer but can't afford the patreon exclusive...

[@shawwww]

sitting in the same boat as you

[@Oddi0]

It's a damn good portrait! It certainly evokes more of a reaction in me than most art.

[@lililangtry1881]

@@Oddi0 yes but I'm among those who really don't like the vibe from the sitter, somebody said he looks like an obnoxious spoiled brat and I agree... But again I have no real clue and it says more about me than anything else I think! 😅

[@Oddi0]

@@lililangtry1881 Oh, same here! He's very unsettling. It feels like he dislikes me and will do something to me. But that's still a reaction to the art, and an unusually strong one at that! Bravo to the artist.

[@karlkarlos3545]

@@lililangtry1881 It's probably painted from a photography. And don't be so judgmental about people you don't nothing about.

[@manda4134]

I found this video before going to bed and just wanted to see what it was about before sleeping. I ended up staring at this painting and its slash for ages and ages and ages, im not sure what it is about it that had me so entranced, but i love it. Thank you for this restoration!

[@chrisduncan6600]

Phenomenal work as always. It’s such a pleasure to watch, and as an artist myself, I love how you care deeply and respect each piece. I’d love to see the reaction of the owner of the piece! That would be an amazing video to watch too! Bravo!

[@massbrucelee4]

another good way to "tear" sheets of various types of rice paper is to essentially wet a paint brush with water and draw your cut. and it comes apart easily. the brush essentially acts as an exacto knife and retains the rough edge. Love the vids Baumy-G

[@k80_]

This is a method in Chinese clothing making as well. You get a thread and wet it with your saliva, then use it to wet the fabric in a line. The enzymes from the saliva break down the silk fabric slightly and allow much sharper pleats/ hems. Which I just think is really neat

[@massbrucelee4]

@@k80_ Wow!! beautiful, good to know!

[@karissawiggins3171]

There is just nothing like seeing Julien put a painting back together. I am astonished with every retouching at how the damage disappears. Amazing.

[@janmorris1098]

A really clever restoration, you wouldn't think it had been cut. Well done.

[@dalekendall9088]

Your videos are so good. I have anxiety and they help calm me down. Thank you so much for making them.