Theory, methodology and practice – Cesare Brandi and wall painting restoration in Denmark in the 20th century

This paper presents connections between theory and practice in the aesthetic treatment of wall painting in Denmark, with an emphasis on the assimilation (or lack of) of Brandi's theories. In the 1930s a unique, but short-lived retouching methodology was developed in Denmark that shared a common theoretical explanation with the Italian tratteggio. In contrast, methods used today are inspired by Brandi's theories, but also misunderstand his ideas regarding historic and aesthetic polarities of a work of art. No longer a methodological system, retouching today primarily strives to camouflage lacunas by various techniques, which imitate the deteriorated surface of the original.