Secrets, Sins, And Salvation 

julian: this is an accumulation of dust, dirt, cigarette smoke, soot, and… me: say it say it say it julian: ambient accumulated particulate me: HELLL yeah

Wow, I could have sworn the color of the collar was gold before the old varnish was removed. It is crazy just how much was hidden from all the old vanish and grime.

Julian, as an amateur artist who has recently started stretching my own canvases you have inspired me to hide messages on my work. Now I'm just average, so I really don't expect any of my works to ever get restored but just in case I hide little message on the back of the canvas, mostly behind the stretcher frame and sometimes on the inside of the tacking edge, all intended solely for future (however unlikely) restorers. One is "Wow! I am worthy of being restored? Thank you for taking care of me". Just reaching out to the future collaborator is fun to dream about.

Can we all take a moment to appreciate the incredibly detailed way the salmon-colored cloth in the lower left was painted? That's almost photo-realistic!

Can I just say, as someone with a crippling anxiety disorder I find it extremely soothing that you repeat a lot of the same information in each video, on top of helping me remember information about conservation, it’s very comforting 😅

my mum is an intensive care doctor, which as you can imagine is such a stressful and sometimes thankless job (especially in the last few years). sometimes i sit with her and we watch your videos together, and she always laments that she wishes she could “have an interesting job like this”. your comment about doctors, while small, really brought a smile to her face during a particularly stressful time :)

I was watching and when he brought out the repair materials my first thought was "He's gonna do bridging! Yay! I love watching him do bridging!" and he DID. Its ridiculous how much I've learned about painting conservation just by watching Julien.

Once again, Julian demonstrates that he's part artist, part technician, and part sorcerer.

On my last trip to a museum I suddenly noticed that after watching your channel for a long time now, I am looking at paintings differently. Where I was oblivious to the details just a few years ago, I now couldn't unsee it anymore. And the "usual suspects" stood out enormously to me; Planer distortions, flaky paint, surface grime, accessive/bad overpaint, badly repaired tears etc. Like a new skill suddenly unlocked. So I appreciate all your hard work, it opened up a whole different side of art to me. Thank you!

"Hot table treatment" always sounds like the painting is off to an exclusive spa day :) Also, I was wondering- how funky fishy smelling is the fish gelatin glue?

This painting required so much retouching that I am surprised it wasn't written off as a complete loss. But as always, Julian saved the day!

The fact that the previous conservator(s) basically repainted the face was much more shocking than I thought. I think it was nearly skinned!

My mother does embroideries and sometimes gets them framed. She told me the other day that the place she was thinking of using used staples instead of lacing to stretch the embroidery on the board used under the embroidery in the framing process. I had an almost visceral reaction thanks to Julian at the word staple. I told her to find a place that is willing to take the time to lace instead of stapling LOL

the backgrounds of all these portraits are so surprising! In the beginning all seem dark like black holes eating the person, but underneath is pinks, greens, yellows... colours that make the person in the portrait really pop.. Who ever prefers to keep the old varnishes clearly doesn't know what is hidden beneath that old dinky varnish.

Hi Mr. Baumgartner. I was wondering, i believe that most of the artworks in your studio are from Europe or America. Have you ever restored a painting from a different region? Is there a paint difference or a different approach?? these questions keep me up all night

When you started cleaning I thought shouldn't that collar be white? There's no way there could be that much grime on it!? Amazing transformation as usual

I love how sometimes when you finish a portrait, it looks like the sitter is smiling when before they looked more neutral

"So I had to go back, and remove all of it, and remove the sins of the past...", Julian has a way of narrating that makes you feel like you are listening to a really good crime and drama audiobook😂

"This is a lesson that has no value the 2nd time around." Gonna remember that one, love it!

Thankfully this painting found its way to Julian's studio.Anyone else might have passed on trying to restore this train wreck.Always amazed at his patience and skill.

You know, audiophiles desire to hear music “as the artist originally intended”. The difference between an audio engineer and an audiophile is that an audio engineer knows how to achieve that desire in the most effective way possible. Much like how an art conservator knows how to revive a painting to as close to the artist’s intention as possible, an audio engineer does the same thing, knowing the software and the hardware to turn one’s and zeros into a beautiful music that uplifts the soul of the listener in the way the original creator of that music intended. Fascinating!

Naming a restoration video SECRETS SINS AND SALVATION is an intellectual masterpiece of art from Julian in itself.

Okay I have to admit that when all the previous conservation was removed my heart sank. I really didn't see how it could ever be restored Julian is so patient and deliberate in his work. I have to admire th effort he put into this piece I would have called hopeless. It just goes to show that in the hands of a Master nothing is ever hopeless.

It never fails to amaze me just how dirty white paint gets with time. That collar is absolutely stunning!

As soon as Julian said that there was signs of prior restoration attempts, I was like: oh no, here we go again… let the shade throwing begin!!!

Oh me of little faith! How could I doubt that the restoration would reveal a worthwhile painting? I looked at the beginning and my immediate thought was "why bother?" My second thought was "perhaps this is where Mr Baumgartner shows us a project that turns out to be impossible".

I love these dramatic restorations, the contrast between the dim and dingy original and the colorful and complete final result is super satisfying.

I really like the fact that in these last videos he started to explain more, like he did in the beginning. I've been watching his videos for some time now, and I know his tools and his way of working but I feel like he had started to take that kind of understanding for granted. Hearing him explain what he's doing and why he's doing it, even if I already know is really calming. Also, I think his new audience appreciates it too

22:26 thank you for showing how the hammer picks up the tacks in such great detail. I have a similar hammer, but had difficulty using it. Now I know. Thanks again! Sending lots of love 💖 from sunny 🌞 Arizona 🌵😷

Had a project the other day and decided to work methodically like Julian. This channel inspires me.

Y'all love the washi-kozo so much, but I never hear any love for the true workhorse of the studio: clear packing tape. Srsly, our boy must have stock in 3M.

This is my painting that was sent in to Mr. Baumgartner and I am BLOWN AWAY!!! I LOVE IT!! The painting is believed to be of Sir Edward Hyde (1609-1674), the 1st Earl of Clarendon, advisor to King Charles I and Charles II of England. According to the letter that I received with the painting, it was painted by Sir Peter Lely (1618-1680), it was given to a local farmer near Cheshire, England, sometime around the turn of the century. It was then sent to auction in 1915, where it was purchased by another owner. The chain of custody between that owner and the previous two owners is unknown. I do know that it ended up in the collection of an antiques dealer sometime in the early 2000's. That owner passed away and apparently had the painting stored in a barn. His widow sold it to the person I bought it from. I was the only person that placed a bid on it. I cannot confirm that it is indeed Sir Edward Hyde or was painted by Sir Peter Lely, as the provenance I have on it is only what I have just stated, but either way...I love this painting! The painting has even more sentimental value to me because of what recently happened in my life. When I sent the painting to Mr. Baumgartner in early January, I was struggling with many things in my life, especially spiritually. I was raised as a Christian and thought that I was saved when I was a boy, about 9 years old. However, since then...something has always felt off. I had this void in my heart that I tried to fill with all of the things of this world, including antiques, but I was always left still missing something. I grew up going to church, and to be honest...I have been "playing church" most of my life. I wanted a relationship with Jesus on my own terms, not His. A couple of Sundays ago, the Lord convicted me and opened my eyes to show me that I was really lost. I had never truly surrendered my life to Him. I surrendered and was saved and baptized thanks to His unending love and mercy!! The cool thing about this is that just like this painting, we get dirty, soiled...damaged by the weight of this world. Many people don't see value underneath and would write us off as a loss, just like many would with this painting before it was conserved. Only Jesus can clean us up, wash away all of the dirt, shame, and grime away to reveal the new person underneath....who we truly are.....just like this painting. It is also worth noting, that Mr. Baumgartner had no idea of what I was going through when working on this project and this video, but the title of the video "Secrets, Sins, & Salvation" couldn't have been any more appropriate for what I have been going through. God was going to get my attention one way or another, even if it was with an old painting. For that, and for Mr. Baumgartner's willingness to take on the project and his skill, I am eternally grateful! This painting will hang proudly in my house as a reminder of the person that I can be through Him who gives me a new beginning! :)

Switching between 31:40 and 31:45 I have to say I like the old eyes and eyebrows better. From what I have seen so far, eyes are just not the biggest strength of Julian. But other than that, oh boy, what a fabulous transformation that was.

Just as I was scrolling through old videos for some dulcet conservation wisdom and narration to lull me to sleep, what perfect timing

Your work is nothing short of amazing, and your narration is equally pleasing. Of course, now that I think about historic dress, the ruffles under the face would have been white instead of gold, but I never thought of that before watching you clean it; the transformation was startling and exciting. At first, the subject looked stern and unwelcoming, but after your conservation, he now looks healthy, pleasant, and someone I would like to have met.

In waiting for this video I was re-watching your series on conserving a split panel painting. At the end you mentioned the painting had been in your studio for 18 months and I thought, that's quite a long time. I couldn't help but wonder, what happens to a painting if the client dies while you're working on it? A lot of the time there is probably someone who will inherit it but what if there are no relatives or if they don't want it?

Literally screamed when he wiped off that varnish on the collar

The thing that impressed me the most was the clothes. The copper color and specially the black part of the shirt, all of that details, hidden. Thanks for the video!

I wonder how many paintings you’ve saved, not by restoring, but by educating.

I’m always amazed at the how you can stabilize what seems like something seems almost completely gone. Just amazing every single time.

Julian taught me how to fix my drywall. That last dent only took me a week and a half, and all I'm waiting for is my Belgian linen.. Thanks Julian 😊

Yep, I much prefer hearing your talking and commentary while you restore a painting. The difference of the before and after on this painting is astounding. I like the way you even replicate the defects on your retouching to marry it to the rest of the painting. Well done!

I love to watch your restoration videos as a costumer who often uses portraits like these for research purpouses - your work always reveals such tiny, beautiful details and bright colors that would never have been seen before, and makes research from them more accurate and truthful to the period than the idea of what people think the past might have looked like - dark and dingy, seen from behind old dirt and yellowed varnish. There's so much life and color in these periods and pieces, and you're truly doing incredible work bringing those things and people back into the light.

I really liked the theme of "secrets that can't be seen from looking at the surface of the painting"; I think it's a lot more directly relevant to the conservation process than themes you've done in the past (which are still good videos, I just didn't always feel the theme was as connected to what was going on on screen) and also helped organize the information you're presenting about conservation in a really interesting way

Restating my love for Washikozo paper 💖☺️

I've never been this early for a video before, much excite. Got my snack and coffee, leggo Julian

It’s sad paintings get mistreated like this one, but pure joy to see you put it back together again

Thank You Julian...I am amazed at myself and how much I look forward to each show Julian presents. My simple life revolving around Monday mornings, WOW! I watch the time bar at the bottom of the screen to regulate my viewing. Rewind a bit, stop get coffee, breakfast, watch, rewind some more just to make the experience last. I learn, I am entertained, and think "OH yea, I know how to conserve an old painting correctly".....HA!!! (I know zero)...BUT watching Julian gives me confidence!!! It is also fun to try and judge the real time line for each of Julian's performances by how many different shirts he wears. At the end I always think BRAVO JULIAN !!!...TM

How often do you communicate with the client to update them on a project like this? And how much can a restoration like this cost?

The amount of patience needed for projects like this…unbelievable ❤❤

I couldn’t actually care less about art… but I will never get tired of watching a skilled craftsmen perform his work, regardless of his profession. You are incredible at what you do.

the silkiness of the sleeves and the delicate lace collar is AMAZING.

Big Fan Bro Big Fan♥ This is a masterpiece. Congratulation from Vietnam.😉👍🍺

Could you go over the prepping (priming, ground, etc) that a canvas endures before the artist begins to add color? I've never truly understood what goes on between an artist purchasing/obtaining raw canvas and when the artist begins to paint.

I'm always blown away by how detailed those ruffs and collars and neckerchiefs were. When the old varnish comes off and you see all the little stitches and points-wow.

It never ceases to amaze me how you take something old and make it new, but old again.

Amazing restoration. Thank you for adding the before and after with the intermediate steps at the end. I was totally blown away by the process and the results.

i’m obsessed with these videos. they’re always so entertaining and interesting to watch.

Hi Julian, thank you so much for your continued decision to share with us your work in such a graceful manner. Watching you rescue, repair and care for these lovely works of art, while speaking so gently and genialy, and the music you choose, has been a balm to my stressed soul for a long time now. I am an amateur artist and a lover of art history and art, so your videos are always a delight for me and the best thing to watch for my worst days. It feels like I'm listening to an old friend go on about their work, which delights me (I'm an introvert who rarely does much talking and that's ok). Thank you so much, and I wish you the absolute best, always.

It never ceases to amaze me how beautiful each piece is once is has been conserved by the masterful hands of someone who truly keeps what is best for the artwork in mind. One who does only what absolutely needs to be done, uses only appropriate archival materials, and admits when he needs help to achieve what is best for the art piece. Bravo, bravo, bravo.

I'm so glad that I've found your channel. I'm not involved in restoration, but I love watching your quiet, zen-style narration. I also have to say that you have a beautiful and soothing voice, and your precise midwestern pronunciation of American English is very satisfying. And in a world that has ceased to appreciate expertise, talent, and skill, your work is a delight to watch. Best regards.

AAAAHH!!! My favourite channel has posted again!!! And what a project this was! The damages you described were clearly visible even to a lay(wo)man's eye. What a difference between the painting as it came to you, and the final product! What a transformation! Amazing.

A new video from Julian just makes my whole Monday worth getting out of bed for!!

It speaks to your ability as a content creator that my favorite thing about fine art is your conservation. One of the few channels that I've watched every single video.

Those details in the fabric ... insane how all that hid behind the varnish and grime.

I often wonder how do you end up choosing this profession. You simply wake up one day and realize "hm,I am really good at painting, carpentry, engineering, chemistry, alchemy, art history, DIY, I have infinite patience, physically strong, creative, I have a perfect color vision, I like to work by myself etc etc" and then the job choosing counsel goes like "yes, art restauration might just be your thing"

The clothing was painted so beautifully! It was impossible to see it under all that old varnish, fantastic job as always ☺️

Hi Julian, just wondering if you will make a restoration video about the big Saint Mary painting in minute 20:40 it looks like the painting belong to a church, and I'm curious how you will restore a painting which have so many dirt from candles' smoke. I found these kind of paintings a lot here in France when I was doing church crawling.

This is a second life for the picture! Very good job 👍👍👍

i think this is the most dramatic conservation i've seen from your videos. dramatic as in the changes because wow i never would have thought that there was basically a whole different painting below. amazing work!

I have now watched about 10 of your videos and am in awe of your talent and professionalism. Thank you for taking the time to video your work. I have learned so much about restoration and conservation of paintings. Keep up the good work, Julian. I will be watching, learning and enjoying each episode.

Julian you are a Miracle worker as I thought no way can he get all that flaking paint to stick back down. Plus listening to your voice is very soothing & interesting as you speak about the conservation work you do. I’m sure your children love it when you read stories to them.

YAY I absolutely adore that you have the ASMR-ish version and this narrated one. I watched the asmr-ish one last night and loved hearing the process but missed the narration when I had a few questions that have now been answered with this version. I will absolutely watch both versions if you always release both 💕 Thank you for everything

WOW! There are no words to express my amazement in the restoration of this painting. A magnificent creative job. Carol from California

New video!!! I’m so excited to see what problems we can encounter and fix!

What a transformation. Brilliant as always. The details on the lace collar are lovely 👍

It’s absolutely hypniotic to watch you work on these paintings! Thank you for all the time and effort you put into making videos, - the camera angles, all the details, I am mesmerized by how much knowledge you have about your craft ✨

Beautiful restoration as always, I'll never get over how much of a difference just cleaning a painting makes, let alone the retouching. Whatever technique the artist used on those fabrics, he absolutely nailed it! Silk in particular can be really hard to accurately portray, as can lace or any satin-woven fabrics, so I always find well done fabrics in paintings especially impressive!

The dramatic difference in color when he removes the varnish from that white cloth, wow!

The transformation was absolutely perfect! Thanks for another amazing video! 👍

Once again thank you for taking me out of my world into yours. I am always amazed at the magic you perform on these paintings. Now I must transition back to my world and take on my day. Sending blessings to you and your family.

Another stellar restoration. It’s obvious that you take great pride in your craft. Well done!

Once again blown away (but not surprised) by how beautiful, meticulous, and careful your work is.

What a transformation! Another mind blowing restoration by you!

I would really love to see more of the retouching in these videos. I am mesmerized by the matching of colors & blending the new with the old brushstrokes. The whole process is brilliant, but showing a longer section of retouching would be great too.

Wow unbelievable journey. I would have tossed it in the bin, not knowing what it was, nor thinking it salvageable. Do we get to see the tall painting in the background next? lol. (seen at 20:30)

Can't wait to watch this tonight!

A wonderful job as usual! I always love when you clean varnish from a lacy collar. Thanks for sharing your journey with us! 🥰

I'm new to his channel but I'm loving how much care he's using to restore the painting

I am sure, like I, every follower who sees there is a new Baumgartner video, gets very happy and excited.

I must admit, I think you are just amazing. I’ve been a fan for a long time. These are such peaceful videos for me. I’m always amazed at every step.

Thank you so much Julian. Your videos make my weeks.

Beautiful work, as always. Thanks.

I just watched both versions and enjoyed them. Thank you.

As always Absolutely calming and an amazing job on what Julian can do to these paintings. And just in time for Easter resurrection.

I absolutely love every video, such detailed work, I've learnt SO much about painting restoration. It makes my day when I see new content, brilliant work, as good as any TV series if not better

Wow! What a revelation, once the painting is completely cleaned! I’m halfway through, but looking forward to seeing your retouching. I love your channel.

From darkness to light, this is the slogan with which I see you, and perhaps your brush will be one of the most important aspects of a history that we will see in the paintings and their history.🎩

So happy I found this channel. Your voice is so relaxing and your work is like magic. Beautiful🥰

Amazing work Julian. I love watching the transformation of these types of paintings.❤️