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Hanging nail gives away – $25,000.00 painting ripped.

Posted · 6 Comments

Look at this rip! Want to see some magic?!


This rip, on the left, was kind-a ugly: It ripped when the nail gave way and it fell off the wall… and got uglier when the fibers frayed.

So we turned it over and, under magnification, the fibers were realigned and rewoven. Then the ends of the fibers were “re-welded” back together. The photo on the right is the back of the rip after the “re-welding” and readhering of the ends back together. Nice, huh?

Even though the rip looks great and is now flat, the stress from the impact will result, in the future, in a disfiguring spiderweb or bull’s eye type cracking pattern. So this painting will be lined to keep that from happening.

Quality retouching or “inpainting,” as we say, will be applied only to the area of loss and be very restricted in order to ensure the maximum value and that the originality of the painting is maintained.

This sort of thing is TOTALLY preventable. Is it worth riping a $25,000.00 picture before you make sure your hanging items aren’t going to come falling down with the smallest tremor?

6 Responses to "Hanging nail gives away – $25,000.00 painting ripped."
  1. I really like your blog! Your posts are super. I work with large plastic storage boxes and I ever thought of the things that you bring up. Very smart and true!

  2. Tom says:

    To add to Angel’s comment, I think the header and left hand side menu are very cool – they look unique not like so many blogs which all have the exact same theme…I’m going to browse through the articles now 🙂

  3. Alexa Carillo says:

    Amazing! I can’t believe this painting fell off its nail from a sonic boom! Nice repairs on the rip. Now, that is magic! lol

    Question: when you fix a rip like you did, is the value restored to what it was before the damage?

    Good job! Keep posting!

    • Scott says:

      Good question Alexa,
      Small repaired rips, if done in a high quality way can return the artwork to the original value. But artwork that is high priced because of its “virgin” original condition may take a serious hit, even after repair. Previously repaired artwork that is damaged and then repaired well again, will regain the value after the repair. As you can see, circumstances may dictate the loss or return of value after quality conservation treatments are performed. Its best to consult an art appraiser as the art conservator will not know the value or be able to guarantee a return of lost value. To discuss art appraisal questions, call Richard Holgate at 805 895 5121.

  4. Wayne Barnett says:

    Please sign me up to recieve your tips. Also do you know of a reputable art appraiser in Miami, Fl. . I have a painting by F A Bridgman I would like to have appraised. It has some damage and needs restoration and I would like the appraiser to tell me the value of the painting unrestored then restored. Thank you.

    • Scott says:

      Hi Wayne,
      Sorry I don’t know a good appraiser in Miami. I know people in West Palm Beach. But, my appraiser contact could help you work through those questions. His name is Richard Holgate and he can be reached at jrholgate@yahoo.com or 805 895 5121
      Best wishes
      Scott

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