The Museum of Fine Arts signed a cooperation agreement with the Getty Foundation on the restoration of art works three years ago. It is within the framework of this agreement that Albrecht Altdorfer's Crucifixion (1512) and Giovanni Boltraffio's Madonna and Child (1508) have been sent to California, said Miklós Szentkirályi, chief restoration expert for the Museum of Fine Arts.
The agreement involves the exchange of restoration experts: The Hungarians Béla Nagy, a specialist in woodwork, and the restoration expert Imre Nemcsics have just returned from Los Angeles, where they worked side by side with their American colleagues on the Museum of Fine Arts' two panel paintings. Another two Hungarians will travel to the United States as part of the partnership in December.
Boltraffio's painting under restoration is so similar to the works of Da Vinci that it was long thought to be one of master's paintings, Szentkirály said.
When the paintings are restored, they will be shown at the Getty Museum, after which they will be put on display in the Museum of Fine Arts.
Although the Museum of Fine Arts has just four restoration experts on staff, they work together with 30-40 contracted professionals each year, Szentkirály said. The Getty Museum works in much the same way he adds. Currently guest restoration experts from the Guggenheim in New York are at work in Los Angeles.
Source: Hungarian News Agency (MTI)
Photo: Museum of Fine Arts
