You Won"t Believe What This Guy Did To A Famous Painting

Things were pretty normal at the National Gallery of Ireland in June of 2012. That is, until 49-year-old Andrew Shannon walked in and put his fist through a Monet painting of an estimated $10 million value. The painting, Argenteuil Basin with a Single Sailboat, was left with a hole in the middle of its serene landscape scene. The act of bizarre, senseless violence left the art world, as well as much of the rest of the world, stunned.

Meet Andrew Shannon and the assaulted sailboat painting.

The damaged painting after its attack in 2012.

With Shannon behind bars, the question remained as to what to do about the painting. The painting, which dates from 1874, had to be carefully restored in a painstaking 18-month process to ensure that the damage was repaired and the painting was suitable for display once again. The National Gallery of Ireland revealed the process.

Step 1: Stabilizing the painting

Step 2: Protecting the undamaged paint and unmounting the canvas

Step 3: Repairing the tears

Step 4: Removing the facing

Step 5: Lining the painting

Step 6: Restretching the canvas

Step 7: Replacing the loose paint fragments

Step 8: Filling the gaps and retouching the paint

After months of meticulous, painstaking repairs, Argenteuil Basin with a Single Sailboat was ready to return to the gallery. To the naked eye, the repaired painting is flawless, and you would never guess that there was a hole punched into it only 18 months ago. However, under a UV light, the repairs are visible. The painting also had the added benefit of a bath, so the colors are even more vibrant.

Interestingly, each and every repair made is completely reversible. That way, if needed, it can be removed in the future when better restoration techniques are developed.

(via Twisted Sifter)

Aside from all the work done to restore the painting to its former beauty, preventative measures were also taken to keep it safe. Today, it’s in a moisture-controlled, UV-filtering “climate box” to prevent further damage from forces of nature, as well as misdirected rage.

The painting was put back on display on July 1, 2014. It has since enjoyed a celebrated return.

You Won"t Believe What This Guy Did To A Famous Painting