Although this book will not make instant conservators of lay readers, it does highlight the difficulties involved in trying to restore works of art, summarizing current knowledge in the field of painting conservation. Its primary audience, though, is made up of artists, conservators, museum professionals, and art dealers. The book is divided into sections that deal separately with the main elements of a painting: wooden supports, ground layer, paint layer, and varnish. Materials are discussed, as are the causes of damage and the subsequent restoration techniques employed. A final chapter deals with the importance of documentation in conservation work, offering tips on written, graphic, videotaped, and photographic record-keeping with guidelines on how to photograph the art throughout the restoration process.
