Mexican Art Master David Alfaro Siqueiros Mural "Mexico Today" Moved

In 1992 a move was afoot to move a famous mural by Mexican Master David Alfaro Siqueiros from the Palisades in Los Angeles to Santa Barbara, CA. It was a BIG deal and the final details were nothing short of an art conservation miracle. The story of the whole mural restoration project is so interesting that, if you like art,  I am sure you will want to see the 30 minute professional video. I was part of the team of painting conservation experts responsible for the saving and moving of this rare mural by one of Mexico's most famous artists of the 20th century. Leave a comment! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACRmeSkgCaA

Art conservation questions? Call Scott Haskins at 805 564 3438

Picture of Christ is renamed "Behold the Monkey!" after Restoration

So much attention has been given this inept restoration of the picture of Christ from a church in Spain! Did you miss it??!!! Well, the restoration was so bad that it has been renamed "Behold the monkey" by some very irreverent types. Here's the before and after the restoration:

But sadly, this situation is not really uncommon! In fact we have a similar example in our lab right now! Here's my blog post, comments and a photo:

http://www.fineartconservationlab.com/in-lab/“restored”-painting-of-christ-in-spain-“behold-the-monkey”/

TTYS
Scott M. Haskins

Nice Paul Lauritz Seascape for Sale - Art Collector Asks Condition Questions

A California Coastal Scene 30 x 36 by Paul Lauritz, very nice, recently came up at auction and a potential art buyer consulted with me regarding the cracking patterns (see upper left of photo). These were his questions and my answers:

1.     Are the cracks going to get worse?

2.     Do the cracks impact the value? 

3.     Can the cracks be removed with proper painting conservation treatments (lining)? 

4.     How much will lining cost? 

5.     Is the correct term “lining” or “relining”? 

6.     Can the artwork look perfect (without cracks)? 

7.     Does the artwork need to be cleaned?

8.     How much will cleaning cost?

9.     Will the art conservation treatments impact the value? 

This collector/investor was thinking of flipping this painting (quick turn around resale after purchase). So, obviously, this inquiry was all about the numbers. Would you like me to crunch numbers with you?

See the answers to these questions and an interesting discussion about value at http://goo.gl/BzvX2

 YouTube videos I’ve posted are at “bestartdoc” channel (CLICK on “bestartdoc”).

Feel free to contact me with your condition and art conservation questions: Scott M. Haskins 805 564 3438 See a short video tour of our painting conservation lab at http://www.fineartconservationlab.com

Other articles of interest to painting collectors can be found at http://www.TipsForArtCollectors.org

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Scott M. Haskins