El Greco Restoration | Arts Upload

When I walk through an art gallery or museum, I seldom think about the flaws that might be lurking in the pieces or the paintings, but when your collection contains works that are hundreds or thousands of years old, a little repair work often needs to be done. As a matter of fact, the Conservation Department at the Nelson-Atkins Museum recently faced an interesting challenge. Restoration expert Scott Heffley took on the task of making a certain Old Masters painting look a little fresher before it went to Spain for an exhibition commemorating El Greco 400 years after his death. KCPT’s Mike Murphy spent hours documenting Scott’s delicate touch on the Penitent Magdalene and producer Ashley Holcroft has edited the footage for your viewing pleasure.

[@OhNooo]

I love that he considers the paintings he restored as friends.. that's so nice and heart-warming for some reason

[@pleaseno2363]

This man shows so much emotion in restoring an amazing painting the way he speaks evokes so much feeling

[@TheFiown]

It's an amazing profession because when you do your job well, as you do, then no one knows it ( except those with whom you work) wonderful work thank you.

[@The_banana_graveyard]

Creates so much emotion watching this.

[@saraht4973]

Excellent. And his delight in working with his friends is palpable. Thank you so for you patient restoration.

[@vickinoble4744]

Such respect for the gifted artists that breathe life back into masterpieces - without altering them.

[@nenek75]

It is such a pleasure to watch the delicate work you put on this, with such love and respect, that it makes me get emotional. As a Spaniard, it makes me feel proud and also grateful at the same time.

[@nikidee6581]

Beautifully narrated, with a deeply passionate and well described connection between painting and restoration artist. Thank you.

[@jessethecomet4423]

He did such a wonderful job of restoring Her. She looks stunning!!

[@susanm8586]

I am always shocked to see during restoration of an old work, that the artist physically rests his hand on the painting!

[@angrybird32495]

Best eyebrows I’ve ever seen

[@PeninsulaPaintings]

I wonder if hundreds of years from now, the art restoration team will criticizing the method he used to restore it here.

[@charredtodeath2205]

Nabzarella Dare probably, yeah. The same way the people of the past didn’t have more precise knowledge of chemistry, science will continue to improve, better pigments will be made without compromising colour, and the types of varnish solutions we can use will evolve as well. But I think people of the future will be pleased that Curators actively improve their restoration methods.

[@GoldenHay1]

yes, they will.

[@tlangdon12]

I don't think they will; we now have a very advanced body of knowledge about the effects of time on the materials used by the original artists and modern restorers. It is difficult to imagine that future improvements will be as radical as the developments over the last 40 years. If the future art restoration teams have any criticisms I hope these will be tempered by the knowledge that the methods were the best available at the time AND were designed to be reversible with minimal damage to the painting.

[@sluggo562]

@@tlangdon12 I think restorers of the future will criticize that this guy didn't even know what the "gummy residue" he was removing while bragging about his "magical futuristic" ethanol swab. Either that or the coastlines will all be underwater, forests deforested, with the remnants of society burning these to stay warm in a lead saturated toxic wasteland.

[@nancydiaz8056]

Over a year to restore? Thats love and patience. I salute you sir. Amazing job.🤝🙌

[@user-xg3wv5ip3u]

Q tal buenos días amigos así es arte mundial en sus diferentes vertientes muy grato saludar desde Guadalajara Jalisco México buen fin de semana cuidense mucho

[@miguelg1370]

Wonderful eyebrows

[@jeroldstockdale]

No doubt. I am totally jealous.

[@mehrdadmohajer3847]

Nice job Mastro👏🍻

[@JB-lc8qd]

I was able to visit this expo back when I lived in Madrid, it's so nice to know all the work that goes behind it. Thank you!

[@ivorytower99]

This 'Magdalene' portrait by El Greco has been part of the Worcester Art Museum's collection, in Worcester, Massachusetts for decades!

[@allendean9807]

It’s too bad they shortened it for our viewing pleasure..... I only watch these because it take Julian Baumgartner a bit to edit his videos..... But this was fun, too!

[@patavinity1262]

Such a natural-sounding conversation.

[@MrRemorseless]

Not at all cringey 😂

[@GM_AG]

Such a great guy

[@geniusmodernus]

He even has eyebrow brushes!

[@LXXIV666]

Wow over a year to complete. Very good work

[@letmetellyousomething123]

Pure devotion. wonderful.

[@debramoss2267]

What shtrikes me is the restorer has to have at least twice the skills of the original artist to revive the original energy and spirit of the artwork. Phenomenal artistry on both counts.

[@reference2592]

Wonderful journey

[@chaostade4087]

best eye brows ive seen.

[@PhantomZephyrV]

I feel so dumb because I started crying at the end when he said the paintings were like his friends. But then again, I'm on my period so that explains my emotional breakdown

[@pattiwinn5217]

Amazing video Thanks

[@teddy9770]

The painting is wonderful.

[@osvaldoperezoso]

I have El Greco's paintings in Spain. They are sublime

[@MayhemMilIer]

NO U DONT

[@nenek75]

I think he means "We have El Greco's paintings in Spain." Which we do. A lot in fact. Mostly in Toledo and also in the Prado Museum in Madrid, for example.

[@scudder99]

So great.

[@analiese6934]

My geckos name is El Gecko

[@DawnDBoyerPhD]

Can’t even imagine how much the restoration cost!!

[@tlangdon12]

And it's not just the conservator's time and the cost of the materials used, but also the cost of the equipment we saw, and the cost of space that has masses of natural light but also close-controlled air conditioning to ensure the temperature and humidity are just right!

[@auntvivienne8669]

1:06 Casual Primavera in the background

[@RandomPlayIist]

Why are there so many dislikes on these art restoration videos? Are people really that against preserving precious artworks?

[@pasquino0733]

Can someone explain what the lacquer sprayed on the painting at the end of the restoration was? Never heard of that!!? And what was the implement he used to apply the varnish? Is it better than a brush and should a painter get one for varnishing?

[@beccag3871]

Pasquino 0 The spray is varnish that shines.

[@ragnes18]

watch Baumgartner restoration's narrated videos, he works nicely and explains everything

[@jibindas6899]

I understand the at the guy is an expert in restoring artwork, but the way he put on that fresh coat of varnish... slightly disturbing. 4:48

[@christofat2704]

Fresher! A master piece is not to be looked refresher but more authentic from the creation of the painting !

[@dalhousiekid]

See Baumgartner restorations.

[@HaploBartow]

Does anyone know the song at 0:48?

[@GoldenHay1]

too many cooks spoil the broth

[@moos868]

I have an el greco painting with his sig

[@nenek75]

javar derby well in fact ElGreco had a huge workshop in Toledo where lots of paintings were produced. Sometimes he just added the final touch to the painting, so it's not impossible.

[@moos868]

@@nenek75 so its worthless

[@sluggo562]

There's a chance I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure that magic chemical of the future he's using to dissolve varnish is just isopropyl alcohol or ethanol, which they definitely had and used in the past.

[@jamesbailey8975]

Nice eyebrows

[@HillsFrida]

Chloe Gratz Moretz anyone? No? OK...

[@Skukkix23]

cameraman should seek another profession

[@itkapatanka]

It concerns me that he's leaning on the painting as he works.

[@averybell4273]

Is it me but is her out of proportion

[@sharonriley4137]

Yes - it's not just you. El Greco had a very strange style. His figures are almost writhing, very elongated and oddly proportioned. I have read that he may have had eye problems that contribute to this, but perhaps he was just using it to increase the energy and emotionalism of his subjects. The lighting is also not very natural - I always think his pictures look as though they are lit by lightning flashes. He was a great painter and very original.

[@siegfriedenea]

A senior conservator must pronouce correctly Caravaggio!

[@james-dt4ei]

I can restore any painting in top quality. Ive been restoring for over 20 yrs privatly.

[@Gotholia]

Why does he carry the painting without gloves? This is a 300+ years painting !!!! Show your love by wearing gloves please!

[@mercoid]

Gotholia ....has it ever occurred to you that he knows exactly what he can and cannot do with regard to the handling of the painting and perhaps you don’t, since you are not a trained art restorer with many years of experience?

[@mactastic144]

Ugh, he's restoring a painting in the dark.

[@bobwilson5910]

I guess it's OK. In get a little nervous watching people use Willard's batter medium. Spread the batter CAREFULLY, and make sure not to use cadmiums, as they cause decay. Also, try urine alkaloids as a catalyst. Mix the batter CAREFULLY into the dip and make sure you whisk thoroughly. The dip has a high content of vitriolic amyloid precursor proteins. Stir CAREFULLY. That's all I can say. Enjoy! God Bless!

[@beccag3871]

Bob Wilson They use conservation pigments that can easily be removed without damaging the surrounding paint.

[@fabrizio483]

Really disliked the so-called conservator dismissing previous restoration methods. In a few hundred years, HIS methods will seem barbaric too.

[@FirstLast-so9bi]

Wtf with his eyebrows?

[@fabrizio483]

It's so disrespectful of this man to belittle his long-dead colleagues by making fun of their preservation technique, because the work that he did with microscopes and ultraviolet light will, too, seem barbaric 300 years in the future. He should show some respect and humility. I expected more from a so-called conservator.

[@katrinadeltoros7848]

What is with the jarring loud music to obscure what they are saying? I turned off after just 22 seconds because of that.

[@SeekerKC]

Beautiful painting, but it's inaccurate to continue to describe Mary Magdalene as the penitent, "sinful" woman (or prostitute) from the bible. They should've known better even back in the artist's day, let alone now.

[@bildahome]

Please restorate youre eyebrows mister!

[@1959Berre]

"Innernational"? "Paining"? Seriously? I guess you mean international, which is rather the opposite. Please try to pronounce a T. Yes, you can.

[@user-mi6uk6br8s]

you know what YOU can do? Not be a douche. Yes, you can.

[@zappawoman5183]

No, he can

[@deathmetalpotato]

1959Berre Take off those stupid sunglasses you useless old man.

[@tomvalveede6808]

1959 Really? Go get a Life! Listen with your heart and Not with a mind to be Critical of Others.