'SPANISH BAROQUE PAINTING BOTCHED BY AMATEUR RESTORATION' - Acrylic on Canvas

"SPANISH BAROQUE PAINTING BOTCHED BY AMATEUR RESTORATION" by Andrew Abbott is an acrylic on canvas artwork that appears to engage with the concept of restoration and reinterpretation of historical artworks. It seems to be a contemporary creative commentary on the results of unprofessional art restoration, which has been a topic of conversation in recent times due to several high-profile cases.
The painting is divided into two distinct sections: the lower portion, which is heavily textured and rich in detail, suggestive of a densely packed, chaotic reinterpretation of a Baroque scene; and the upper portion, which features a flat expanse of turquoise, representing either the sky or an unfinished background.
Abbott's technique in the lower section is intricate, with a complex interplay of purple and lilac tones, meticulously worked to create a sense of depth and movement. The texture is likely achieved through a combination of impasto and sgraffito, where layers of paint are scratched to reveal underlying colors, contributing to a sense of age and wear that one might find in a Baroque painting.
The figures and forms within the 'restored' area are abstracted and exaggerated, losing the precision and clarity characteristic of Baroque art, which is known for its dramatic emphasis and fine detail. This could be interpreted as a visual metaphor for the loss of the original's subtlety and craftsmanship due to amateur restoration.
Overall, Abbott's work is filled with irony and narrative, and it challenges the viewer to consider themes of conservation, value, and the passage of time within the context of art history and contemporary practice.