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by Judy Gonyeau, managing editor

n your left, is a delicate portrait of a
beautiful young girl. She may look a bit
Oon the yellow side – what some may call
a yellowing of the portrait due to age has taken
away some of the finer features. Parts of the canvas
are missing, and this painting is not stable enough
to last through the next couple of generations.

n your right, the young girl appears
refreshed, healthy-looking, and soft yet
Owise. The vignette effect is complete with
nothing to disturb the viewer’s eye from enjoying
this painting as it was intended, thanks to careful
restoration.

Fine Art Restoration is so much more than
cleaning and touching up the paint. It is making a
full list of discovered weaknesses, whether due to var-
nishes, the frame, paint loss, or past not-too-great
restorations. Restorer Julian Baumgartner demon-
strates the tasks necessary to make what is beautiful,
whole once again.

AN INTERVIEW WITH JULIAN BAUMGARTNER OF

BAUMGARTNER FINE ART RESTORATION

Meet YouTube sensation, Julian Baumgartner, a second-generation enthusiasts; he was
fine art restorer renowned around the world for his amazing restoration eager to talk about Julian
work, yet a bit controversial for his approach and belief that the restorer the art, the physical Baumgartner
is the preserver of the artist’s work. As Julian stated, “I work in service facts of a piece,
of the image.” historical clues, and
The delicate work done by Baumgartner is mesmerizing to watch evidence, even the
and to listen to, allowing the viewer to appreciate the artwork even artist; he was an
more than thought possible thanks to his YouTube channel: educator in his own
www.youtube.com/@BaumgartnerRestoration way; but above all,
The viewer is taken through the restoration process as agreed upon he was a gentleman
by the owner of the artwork and Baumgartner. After assessing the work, artist himself, who
a conservation proposal is sent to the client, outlining what discovered honored the labor
issues need to be addressed, the timeline for completion, and the price. of artisans long
Some work is completed within one week while others require several gone by attending
weeks depending upon the complexity of the work to be done. to their canvases.”
Baumgartner Fine Art Restoration was established by Julian’s father, His joyous approach to art is continued by his son, Julian, who is
R. Agass Baumgartner, who was born in Switzerland where he received determined to reveal the image as it was originally intended, and return
an intensive art education. Julian learned by first being placed in his it to its owner strengthened, allowing it to be enjoyed for generations.
father’s studio while a youngster, and moving on to his own art educa- Whether appling his skills to an old master or an amateur artwork, he
tion. However, nothing compared to learning by working with and approaches each one the same – with care.
watching his father, a master at
his calling, at work. THE INTERVIEW
Agass passed away in 2011 at
the young age of 63. As remem- Would you mind sharing how this business became established? How
bered by a patron and friend, he did you get into the family business?
is described as the following: I often joked that my entrance into the world of conservation was
Rene Agass “Agass was a wonderful, through indentured servitude. My father started this business here in
Baumgartner
cheerful man and a remarkably Chicago after working as a conservator and with conservators in both
talented conservator. He always Switzerland and France in the late 1970s. As a child, I would often
had time for us small collectors/ spend weekends and sick days and summer vacations at my dad’s studio

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