Educational Media Reviews Online

ArtWatch is an international organization that serves as a watchdog for the preservation of art. The first paragraph in ArtWatch’s mission statement says “To serve as an international advocate for the conservation and stewardship of historically significant works of art and cultural monuments.”

ArtWatch: The Scandal Behind Art Restoration provokes some interesting and pertinent questions about the need and value of art restorations. Weaving interviews from Michael Daley, a journalist with The Guardian, James Beck, Professor of Art at Columbia University, Ken Shulman, ArtNews journalist, Frank Mason of the Art Students League of New York and others, the documentary addresses the issues of art restoration. Specifically, should it even be done and if so, who needs to be involved and how should it be approached.

James Beck is well known for his vigorous stance against the restoration of the Sistine Chapel during the 1980s. Later when he scathingly criticizes another restoration in Livorno, Italy, he is sued by the man who did the restoration. Beck had to defend his criticisms in an Italian court of law (he was sued for defamation) and feels that this lawsuit was in retaliation for the Sistine Chapel criticisms. Using the court case to present the history of restorations, the documentary explores the rationale for restoration, who is responsible for art restoration and the resulting differences in the art work. Before and after examples of art work are shown with commentary detailing what they feel is wrong with the picture. The documentary would have been better served to show the works side by side for the before and after, rather than one after another.

This documentary will appeal to those with an interest in the art world. I feel that the film is biased towards ArtWatch’s point of view, with no opportunity for those criticized in the documentary to defend their viewpoint. Nonetheless it will provide some excellent starting points for discussion. More information on the organization can be found on the ArtWatch website.