Authenticity Lies in the Eye of Beholder: Aesthetics and the Principles of Art Restoration

Abstract Restorers make choices in the light of strong theoretical assumptions. In particular, a notion of conservation as a ‘truth-based’ activity is currently widespread. From this perspective, conservation’s main aim is to maintain or reveal an artwork’s true or authentic nature. This is, however, philosophically puzzling. What is the ‘true state’ of an object? What material condition deserves to be considered ‘authentic’? At a time when preservation of our cultural and artistic heritage is gaining increasing relevance in social discourse, I argue that aestheticians are urged to re-examine this sort of conceptual presuppositions. While the practical exploration of these assumptions is both stimulating and rewarding for philosophers, thinking about these philosophical issues might help museum and heritage workers re-evaluate the principles of their profession and eventually reformulate their codes of practice.