Your Cart is Empty
A painting is much more than a thought-provoking image built into a canvas. It’s a piece of human culture and history. Therefore, as time goes by and colors fade while cracks start to appear, conservationists and hobbyists delve into the long-going debate: “Does restoring a painting decrease or increase its value?”
Restoring a painting will decrease its value in many instances. Generally speaking, the most effective restorations are carried out rarely, sparingly, and by a highly experienced professional. Otherwise, you risk taking too much from the piece’s originality for it to retain its value.
As you can see, the answer to this question isn’t as black-and-white as you would’ve thought. Therefore, in the following sections, I’ll delve into the circumstances that determine restorations' effects on a painting’s value. Additionally, I’ll take you through some of the most common instances where a conservationist should restore a piece and others where you shouldn’t. Be sure to browse our collection of art gifts as well.
Restoring a painting decreases its value, as, for many buyers, it takes away from the charm, uniqueness, and originality of the piece. However, simple cleanings and revarnishes might increase the value of some older pieces in dire conditions.
It can be challenging to determine whether restoration will add or reduce a painting’s value because the public’s perception determines this. In simpler terms, a piece’s worth directly depends on how much the general public is willing to pay for it.
Therefore, a painting valued for what it represents will be appraised differently from one that derives worth for its sharp lines, vibrant colors, and realistic depictions. By looking at this list of the most expensive paintings of all time, you’ll quickly realize that the average piece dates back to the 19th century.
That tells us that critics and enthusiasts place value behind a piece’s meaning and historical context more than they would on a perfect appearance. For this reason, it’s safe to assume that most old-timey paintings in acceptable visual condition would decrease in value if someone restored them.
Repaints and fills are usually a no-no for potentially valuable paintings that carry a lot of worth through their existence. As long as the piece isn’t about to fall apart, it’s always best to leave it untouched until further inspection. However, in the meantime, make sure to store it in ideal conditions to prevent further damage or decay.
On the other hand, basic cleanings, vanish removals, and additions can be beneficial as long as they’re carried out by an experienced professional. Conservationists only perform the repairs and cleanings necessary for a piece of art to maintain its condition, and they rarely give valuable pieces touch-ups.
Remember that every simple adjustment you make to a piece will need to be disclosed to any potential buyer, affecting your chances of selling.
Restoration's effect on a painting’s value heavily depends on its original condition. While a slight scratch or discoloration might add to its originality and charm, sizeable missing chunks and other severe damage like mold might need some attention before selling the artwork.
However, I’d still recommend consulting with a professional first, even in this instance. While most paintings in these conditions could benefit from a cleaning and treatment, others created by highly acclaimed artists or that carry a substantial historical value might be more sought-after if they’re in their original condition.
Routine cleanings and varnishes might add to a timely piece’s value. Likewise, removing any mold, dirt, and debris can increase your painting’s worth.
As a general rule of thumb, when deciding on whether a retouch is necessary, you’ll want to judge whether an imperfection adds to the originality of the artwork or not. For example, while a scratch or a yellowed paint may signify the historical importance of a painting, mold and dirt are simply indicators of poor storing conditions and, as such, will decrease a piece’s value if left untouched.
However, restoration rarely adds to a painting’s worth, aside from these few exceptions. Buyers and critics usually look for the rawest, most original pieces to invest in, meaning that most repairs can, at best, maintain an artwork’s value and, at worst, decrease it.
Most highly appraised pieces worldwide have undergone some sort of renovation, as with time, wear and tear are inevitable. However, by keeping these amendments to a minimum and ensuring they don’t materially affect the painting, chances are you’ll be able to retain its worth.
Because most restorations decrease a painting’s value, I’m not trying to underestimate the work and importance of professional restorators in today’s artwork.
Their profession is noble, challenging, tasking, as the slightest mistake could cause millions of dollars worth of damages. However, even they will tell you that keeping a piece’s restorations to a minimum is usually the best route of action.
Until now, I’ve covered how restoration may affect a painting’s value purely from an objective standpoint. However, some ethical implications to the process have left many art lovers wondering: “Should paintings be restored?”.
Paintings should be restored if your local laws, regulations, and art traditions support the practice. Whether restoring a piece of art is ethical will depend on how extensive the alterations are, whether they’re reversible, and how your local art community views the process.
Painting restorations are usually an ethical gray area. Still, most experts agree on keeping the adjustments to a bare minimum and never altering an art piece permanently (as long as there’s no irreparable damage). Otherwise, the nuances can be pretty subjective depending on your cultural background and point of view.
Restoring a painting usually decreases its value, as the art community often views scratches, discolorations, and other similar imperfections as indicators of the piece’s age and significance. For this reason, you should aim to keep restorations at a bare minimum.
However, routine cleanings and varnishings might be essential in maintaining an artwork’s value. Keep in mind that it’s always best to consult with a professional before altering a painting.
