Unknown Artist
Lombardian Cinquecento Wood Sculpture
1500s
With a sculpture being a two dimensional object, retouching does not need to be carried out to the same extent as a painting. The sculpture's form allows for its legibility to be retained even if the paint layer has been severely lost like with this piece.
Retouching using a vibrato brush stoke was the most desirable finish. This method allows us to clearly identify which parts of the paint layer are original and which are restored. Furthermore, it allows for the sculpture's age and aesthetic values to be preserved.
When the sculpture came in, a previous restoration had been carried out on its nose. The nose was disproportional to the rest of the piece and needed to be removed and replaced. Multiple insect flight holes needed filling and where the paint layer was altogether lost the retouching was chosen to imitate the wood.
