The practicalities and aesthetics of retouching: Rationality versus intuition

Abstract

Summary The complexity of decision-making in the reintegration of losses suffered by works of art on paper is explored. The relevant ethics and aesthetics are discussed. An attempt is made to bring together the relative points that should be taken into account before practical restoration takes place, and a few examples of decisions are given. The author feels that this subject has generally been neglected in the context of paper conservation, and a debate should begin and work towards a new philosophy in this area.