Top 10 Worst Art Restorations in History

Art restoration is a delicate and intricate process that requires skill, expertise, and a deep understanding of the artist’s original vision. However, not all restoration attempts end successfully. In this article, we explore the 10 worst art restorations in history, where good intentions turned into infamous blunders that left masterpieces forever altered.

1. Ecce Homo (2012): The Botched Fresco

One of the most infamous cases, the amateur restoration of Ecce Homo in Spain left the 19th-century fresco of Jesus unrecognizable. The well-intentioned effort turned the portrait into a comical and meme-worthy sensation, earning it the nickname “Monkey Christ.”

2. The Last Supper (1955): Overzealous Cleaning

Italian artist Giorgio Vasari attempted to clean Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, The Last Supper, but ended up removing significant portions of the original paint. The restoration’s aggressive nature left behind a faded version that sparked controversy and criticism.

3. The Ghent Altarpiece (1934): Overpainting Disaster

The restoration of the Ghent Altarpiece by the Belgian Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage resulted in an overpainted and heavily varnished appearance. The misguided attempt diminished the intricate details of this renowned piece, leaving art historians and enthusiasts dismayed.

4. The Pieta (1972): Hammer Attack

In an act of vandalism, Laszlo Toth attacked Michelangelo’s Pieta in St. Peter’s Basilica with a hammer, causing considerable damage to the Virgin Mary’s nose and other parts. The subsequent restoration faced challenges in replicating Michelangelo’s delicate touch.

5. The Sistine Chapel Ceiling (1980): Aggressive Cleaning

Attempts to clean Michelangelo’s iconic frescoes in the Sistine Chapel resulted in the removal of centuries-old grime. However, the abrasive cleaning process also stripped away parts of the original paint, leading to debates about the restoration’s overall impact.

6. The Veiled Christ (2013): The Wrong Material

A well-intentioned restoration of Giuseppe Sanmartino’s Veiled Christ in Naples used a wax-resin mixture, altering the sculpture’s translucency and diminishing the ethereal quality of the veil. The choice of materials sparked controversy among art critics and conservationists.

7. The Immaculate Conception (2018): Overcleaning Gone Wrong

A restoration attempt on Bartolomé Esteban Murillo’s Immaculate Conception in Spain resulted in an overly bright and excessively cleaned appearance. The restoration’s heavy-handed approach drew criticism for erasing the subtle nuances of the original masterpiece.

8. The Sleeping Mars (1995): Awkward Reconstruction

The restoration of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio’s Sleeping Mars faced challenges when reconstructing missing parts of the painting. The resulting awkward additions detracted from the artist’s original composition, leading to disappointment among art enthusiasts.

9. The Queen’s House Portrait (2016): Facial Features Altered

An attempt to restore the 17th-century portrait of Queen Henrietta Maria in London led to the alteration of her facial features. The well-intentioned restoration inadvertently transformed the queen’s appearance, raising concerns about preserving historical accuracy.

10. The National Cathedral Gargoyles (2011): Concrete Replacements

Restoration efforts on the National Cathedral’s gargoyles involved replacing damaged stone elements with concrete replicas. The decision to use a different material changed the aging process, resulting in stark contrasts that disrupted the cathedral’s aesthetic harmony.