This newly restored 15th-century lamb is worrying art lovers

CNN ^ | 22nd January 2020 | Rob Picheta

[Red Badger]

"There are no words to express the result" was the beaming reaction of Belgium's Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage, after a 15th-century masterpiece -- painted over shortly after completion -- was restored to its former glory.

And they were right -- commentators have been left speechless by one particular aspect of the newly revealed painting.

The latest panel of the "Ghent Altarpiece," a large work by Hubert and Jan van Eyck, was unveiled in December as part of an ongoing project to restore the painting to its original design.

The painting -- also known as "The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb" -- depicts a lamb, representing Jesus, being sacrificed on an altar.

And it's this holy lamb that's giving viewers nightmares.

[Red Badger]

[Red Badger]

[11th_VA]

Now this, is a painting ...

[BipolarBob]

“speechless’ “giving people nightmares” really? Methinks thou protests too much.

[dhs12345]

Not an expert but it definitely different from the original. Anatomically, I don’t think that a lamb’s eye faces that forward (as a predator might). The original is more accurate.

[gloryblaze]

It’s disturbing all right, but not because of the eyes, IMO.

[11th_VA]

Better than this restoration:

[BenLurkin]

Therapist: The uncovered face of the Lamb of God in the
Ghent Altarpiece isn't real. It can't hurt you.
— Dr Eleanor Janega

Who said it would?

[Tijeras_Slim]

Cocaine, it’s a hell of a drug.

[teeman8r]

where is that face of jesus redux...

i think the artist took some liberties on this lamb.

[BigEdLB]

controversy is about lamb’s face being too human. Looks like restorer took liberties

[TexasGator]

“Now this, is a painting ... “

Same painting.

[Robert DeLong]

I'd say you are correct:

[Sans-Culotte]

Sad. How do they let these frauds get hold of priceless artworks?

[Red Badger]

Or the restorer had no knowledge of sheep anatomy..........

[yetidog]

It seems to me that there is a big difference between restoration and modification with the painting being an obvious example of the latter. I paint and it is amazing how a single brushstroke or color can change the context of a painted object such as a face—human or animal.

[dfwgator]

[Red Badger]

Lowest bidder?..................

[Leaning Right]

It’s not the lamb that’s giving me nightmares. It’s the restoration process. When restoring a painting, volatile chemicals are used. These chemicals are released into the air, and contribute to Global Warming (or Global Cooling, I’m not sure which).

Anyway,

[Roccus]

Grand niece is a bit of an artist. Practices drawing animal faces constantly. She says it is extremely difficult for her to not anthropomorphize them.