Restaurabits

Secrets and other curiosities

Comparativa antes y después de la restauración

The face of the Virgin of Humility

Comparative of the visible image and the X-ray image of Fra Angelico's " The Virgin of Humility
Comparativa de la imagen visible y la imagen radiográfica de la "Virgen de la Humildad", de Fra Angelico

An area treated for internal damage located precisely in the focal point of the work is clearly visible in the X-ray image: the Virgin’s face.

Part of the paint was lost at some point in areas measuring 1 to 2 square centimetres between the eyes and beneath the lips. A hole 6 millimetres in diameter running through the whole thickness of the wooden support is also visible in the lower loss.

Our hypothesis is that the work was pierced from the front – could it have been accidentally? – possibly by a 6-millimetre bullet, which caused greater damage on exiting on the reverse side due to the energy released from the impact. 

More restaurabits

Restaurabit
A theatre stage

In this picture Canaletto divides the composition into two along a vertical axis, masterfully establishing two almost symmetrical parts. He employs two vanishing points located at equal distances from the middle of the work. These points guide the spectator’s gaze into the background, and create a surprising visual balance. 
Restaurabit
Discovering the invisible

Did you know that these curious cats were hidden in the painting? It was quite a surprise to discover them during our examinations. Macrophotography enabled us to observe many details that would have gone unnoticed to the naked eye, such as these small felines roaming the rooftops of St Mark’s Square in Venice.
Restaurabit
Discovery of the fingerprint

While conducting our technical study of the painting, we found a fingerprint, which could be Otto Dix’s, impressed on the picture’s surface beside the tiepin. 
View all