Art 111 journal entry #1

In 1980, the Vatican announced that it was undertaking a vast restoration project for the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, one of the most cherished works of art in the world. After 14 years, the project was finally finished in 1994. The Catholic church was ecstatic, however, unfortunately many art historians and patrons felt differently. Many believed that the integrity of the original work had been compromised, citing as evidence before and after pictures, etc. They demanded in depth documentation of the project and the processes involved. I find it ironic that a project designed to remove centuries of residue buildup from dirt, smoke, and general atmospheric contaminants is criticized for altering the original masterpiece. No one can deny the marked difference between the before and after pictures, and also that the ceiling post restoration is much brighter and clearer. The argument that this has somehow ruined the original is ridiculous. If anything, the original artwork is being revealed again, now that hundreds of years of contaminant buildup which distorted the image has been removed. The Vatican went to great lengths to maintain the original paint and even cracking as a result of age.