Highest resolution photo - GIF

[TrickieDickie]

Wow, that made a huge difference, kinda night and day.

[KustomsbyKent]

I read some information some time ago about this type of painting restoration. What they are removing is a protective layer that is put on oil paintings to seal them. Over time, that protective layer is patina'd with dirt and grime. It is meant to be removed in order to clean the painting, then they will re-apply that protective layer after all of the cleaning is done.
This protective layer is supposed to be put on every oil painting after the paint has properly set. Not sure if that actually happens for every painting though.
It's fascinating to watch the cleaning for a short period of time, but I can't imagine actually doing a whole painting... I don't have quite that kind of patience anymore.

[arktinkerer]

What is the solvent they are using to remove the varnish layer?

[JoeVanGeaux]

What is that magic "goop" he is using in the restoration?

(I had very brief thoughts of getting a jar for wifey, but I think the attempt at humor would surely be lost - along with any remaining years or my life!)

[Toolmaker51]

What is that magic "goop" he is using in the restoration?

(I had very brief thoughts of getting a jar for wifey, but I think the attempt at humor would surely be lost - along with any remaining years or my life!)

According to a reliable source, there are cases after surgeons performed a facelift, when they saw what was underneath, they let it back down. Any care to guess the reliable source?

[Hoosiersmoker]

When you think how many decades or centuries of wood burning fireplace heated homes those works could have hung in, it seems removing the unintended creosoot sludge would be welcomed. I would think there would still be some patina left even after removing that as the paint's age isn't affected.