Faced with a grime-encrusted, damaged painting, a conservator can spend many months restoring the artwork. It’s often not enough to meticulously clean off dirt, remove discolored varnish, and repair torn, warped, or cracked canvas. Where paint has flaked away to expose bare spots, a conservator may need to fill in the ragged scars–a practice known as inpainting.
Log in
Subscribers, enter your e-mail address for full access to the Science News archives and digital editions.