Restauraatori

Restauraatori, or restorers, are professionals who protect, preserve, and restore cultural heritage objects, works of art, architectural features, and archival materials. Their purpose is to stabilize deteriorating items, recover their legibility, and prevent further decay while maintaining the integrity of the original work.

Training for restauraatori typically combines art history, material science, and practical conservation techniques. Many hold university degrees in conservation or related fields, followed by specialized internships. They usually follow professional codes of ethics that emphasize reversibility, minimal intervention, thorough documentation, and respect for the artwork’s historical and cultural context. National and international associations provide guidelines and accreditation.

Conservation work involves systematic assessment, documentation, and decision-making. Methods include stabilization of structural problems, cleaning, consolidation of fragile surfaces, retouching or inpainting where appropriate, varnish removal, and environmental control. Emphasis is placed on using compatible and reversible materials, and on recording all interventions for future study. Non-invasive analytical techniques, such as imaging and material analysis, support accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

Restauraatori work across museums, galleries, archives, libraries, restoration studios, and heritage sites. Their scope covers paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, textiles, photographs, and architectural interiors, as well as archaeological finds and historic buildings. The field engages with broader conservation science, preventive conservation, and public education, aiming to preserve cultural memory for future generations while maintaining authenticity and transparency in the restoration process.