Famous Van Gogh Painting Restored

Category: Lifestyle/Entertainment

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. renowned / rɪˈnaʊnd / (adj) – famous or well-known
    Example:

    Many people want to see the renowned painting in the museum.


  2. pigment / ˈpɪgmənt / (n) – a substance that provides color to something
    Example:

    I really like the bright yellow pigment used in most Indian paintings.


  3. discoloration / dɪsˌkʌləˈreɪʃən / (n) – the change in the color of something, usually in a bad way
    Example:

    Too much exposure to light can cause the discoloration of paintings.


  4. luster / ˈlʌstɚ / (n) – the shiny quality of a material
    Example:

    The century-old painting that has lost its luster will be restored.


  5. fragile / ˈfræʤəl / (adj) – can be easily damaged
    Example:

    Be careful of my grandmother’s porcelain cups. They’re old and fragile.


Article

Read the text below.

The world-renowned Sunflowers painting at a museum in Amsterdam was examined and restored in early January.


The Van Gogh / van-ˈgō / Museum took down the said painting for the final phase of research and restoration. The painting, which is part of the sunflower series made by Vincent Van Gogh in 1889, is popular for using only three shades of yellow.


In 2018, the Sunflowers painting was discovered to be in poor condition. With the latest scanning techniques, experts found that a yellow pigment sensitive to light was causing the discoloration of the painting. This discoloration is not visible to the human eyes, but the areas painted with the color can lose its luster over time.


More than half a year after this discovery, experts began restoring the painting. During the restoration, they removed a white layer of wax that coated the painting. However, several discolored layers could not be removed because they had already mixed with the paint. Experts had to add new coatings because of this.


After six weeks, the painting was displayed again at the museum.


Although it was restored, the Sunflowers painting remains fragile and sensitive. Thus, the officials of the museum decided that the painting can no longer be transferred to and exhibited in other museums. They explained that too much movement and changes in environment, like air humidity and temperature, can damage the painting.


The painting will permanently remain in the Van Gogh Museum under new and gentler LED lighting.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• What do you think is the importance of restoring paintings like Sunflowers? Discuss.
• In your opinion, what kind of artwork should be prioritized for restoration? Explain.

Discussion B

• In your opinion, what art form (e.g. painting, calligraphy, sculpture) in your country needs to be preserved? Why?
• In what ways do you think this art form can be preserved? Explain.