The Restoration of Ave Maria Narrated Version

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Follow along as Julian Baumgartner of Baumgartner Fine Art Restoration in Chicago works to conserve and restore this icon of Ave Maria. This piece was likely created in a workshop that specialized in religious icons for churches and was the product of several craftspeople and artists with no one claiming ownership or signing the work. These icons appeared commonly throughout Europe and were often lost during war or the closure or relocation of a church.

This piece came in with very little provenance other than that the original owner was an antiques dealer who traveled extensively throughout Europe in the 50’s and 60’s collecting pieces for sale back in the USA. This was one that the dealer held on to.

Covered in years of grime and linseed oil with extensive losses and instability this icon was at high risk for further losses if not complete destruction. The process of conserving and restoring the piece was delicate and tedious but the end result reveals how it might have looked to parishioners when it was first revealed.

This version of the video includes a narrated walk-through of the work being performed. There is an ambient sounds-only version here:

37 Comments
  1. RMK says

    Wow!

  2. Woo ly says

    There wood be a argument

  3. I am Unicron says

    See's the name Maria.
    Beata Maria
    You know I am a righteous man
    Of my virtue I am justly proud.

  4. anna zaman says

    It's science as much as art. Bravo

  5. Kurt Kluring says

    Interesting I've always wanted to know how this is done. Thx

  6. Riley Bear says

    How old was this painting??

  7. cashmerecardigan says

    How much would a restoration like this cost?

  8. o fr? says

    yall… see that ghost at 2:07 ?

  9. Amethyst Graham says

    Oh wow that's amazing 😍 you did such a good job on it

  10. UncommonGaming says

    The stripes restoration is kinda shit tbh.

  11. Ean Albe says

    I love this

  12. Marissa Queen_Of_Ice says

    This is so satisfying to me- Beautiful work ^^

  13. That galaxy goddess 🔮 says

    You people know nothing about retouching he knows more

  14. Vincornelis says

    Me: Be honest who amongst us would have thrown this thing in the skip figuring it was way beyond repair?
    Everyone: raises hand.
    Julian: punches you in the face for even considering it.

  15. Dark Eyes Music says

    Is this the original painting?

  16. elizabeth_andrian johnny says

    What is this job called?

  17. baybeegirlz007 says

    Brilliant! Excellent work! You are a truly gifted artist. You hypnotized me with your work! Remarkable results! 👍🏻❤️😊

  18. Bronze Life Gold destiny says

    What does it takes to work with that?

  19. Gray_jetdonkey says

    What about the wood?

  20. PityShitpost says

    Random person “picture”
    God: “digital photography”

  21. Lady of the Losers says

    this video is truly…

    iconic

  22. Nathanimal says

    0:15 NOW THATS A LOT OF DAMAGE

  23. Nathanimal says

    I get that this is his job….

    but fuck, this is what we call a bad day at work…

  24. Missymeggie says

    I would love if you shared the date of these paintings if you know!

  25. Xxspaceman85xX says

    I would ** this up so bad

  26. Death Atlantic says

    where do you go to learn something like this? There's so much you have to know to be able to do something like this.

  27. Meme dealer dad says

    Me: sitting on my bed eating a bagel in a cat onsie at 3pm
    "Yeah linseed oil is a BITCH"

  28. Pamanda Bear says

    4:45 TAPS AGGRESSIVELY

  29. Hoan Tran says

    I fell asleep last night to tjis

  30. Ya Boy Redzozo says

    wtf why would you start a jigsaw with a middle piece

  31. Bradley Seewalt-Boman says

    You are brilliant! I’m so happy I came across your channel. I love what you do.

  32. itzbrooklynhere 26 says

    Dude your job is cool.

  33. thePeziie says

    This is so soothing to watch. The restoration process together with your voice are completely soothing. Great job!

  34. Daniel says

    This is very satisfying

  35. Stᴉtchᴉe says

    some classical music while you restore art would be very satisfying

  36. Amen Hush says

    Hmm.. Sad that he did not tell the names of any products he used.. For eg. What did he mix with gesso

  37. YI says

    I was kind of shocked when I first heard about 'treta Geo' technique you used for this painting and a litthle embarassed. I know there is no such retoration technique in korea. 'We' just try to revive its previous form. that's it.

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