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"Visual lowering" of
lacunas |
This is a way of attenuating the differences in
colour that have come about as a result of previous restoration work (Botti
and Bertolli in the late 19th century, Tintori in the early 1960s), by means
of tinting the plaster with water-colour. In this way, the lacunas "recede"
optically, no longer disturbing the overall view of the whole work, while
at the same time ensuring a proper understanding of the artist's aims. Though
the missing pigment is not replaced, the aim is to give the exposed stucco
work and plaster an appearance that is homogeneous and "compatible"
with the surrounding areas so that they disturb the overall view of the
painting as little as possible.
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| A damaged area filled with stucco
is only lowered optically (left); the same technique is used for areas
where the pigment is missing (centre). The operation is carried out
using water-colours (right) |
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