Art Sentinel 4

page3

The following images represent before and after images of selected lunuettes from Michelangelo Buonorotis' decoration of the Sistine Chapel.Much has been written in defense of the cleaning of this restoration.A small but vocal community of artists, restorers and academics has from the very begining of the restoration project cautioned against the harsh cleaning techniques used during the first tests.The restoration team at first concurred but then later denied that the techniques were inappropriate ,sayting only that perhaps they would leave the caustic chemicals on the surface for a slightly shorter period of time.This attitude resulted in the erasure of the al secco layer of glue and pigment that Michelangelo applied as a kind of "glaze" during the final pulling together of the final effect.This was documented at the time when the writer, one of the masters assistants remarked how the artist would study the painting from below and then as swifly as possible climb up the scaffolding and apply the giant transparent glazes. These first initial measures at the heavy handed application was just one of the issues that formed part of the controversy that over the years that ultimately ended with the completion of the restoration in 1998. These comparison pictures offer the viewer a chance to see exactly how the the critical balance of form and color was sacrificed for the corporate "disnification" important in maintaining marketing appeal.

Daniel

by Michelangelo Buonoroti