One of the country's most valuable paintings is likely to be joined by two or three more by the same artist next year in a display celebrating the most ambitious art restoration done in New Zealand.
The 1874 masterpiece Still on Top, by French artist James Tissot, was badly damaged by
a thief two years ago when he ripped it from its frame, rolled it up and fled on a motorcycle.
The painstaking restoration has cost the Auckland Art Gallery's insurers $125,000.
It has given conservators at the gallery a skill and an intimate knowledge of the techniques and materials used by Tissot, which are unmatched anywhere in the world.
The gallery had intended to have the restoration completed by the end of the year but director Chris Saines said it would not now be finished until early next year.
"It will be the toughest [restoration] we have ever done. It is the most damaged work we have ever put this much effort into, but it is certainly coming together and we are very confident of the outcome."
Mr Saines said that when the painting was finally ready for public display again, it would probably be joined by two or three others.
"We are looking to borrow some Tissots from other parts of the world to do a small exhibition in association with the painting when it goes back on display."
The untrained eye would not be able to see any obvious sign that large chunks of canvas and paint had been missing from the painting when it was recovered.
"It has been an incredibly challenging restoration for the conservation team working on it."
Mr Saines said the gallery was unlikely to change the way the paintings were displayed because of the need to give the public good access to them.
"It's not a Swiss bank vault here. It's a public gallery and the work will be as accessible as we can make it to our public, like every other public gallery in the world.
"People don't want to visit prisons for cultural projects.
"They want to visit places where they can access them and enjoy them and we will do that within the bounds of reasonable safety and the normal security any like institution would make," Mr Saines said.
The painting was valued at $2 million before it was stolen.
Mr Saines said that although the damage had reduced its value, it was an academic argument because it was not for sale.
- NZPA
Restored Tissot won't be alone
One of the country's most valuable paintings is likely to be joined by two or three more by the same artist next year in a display celebrating the most ambitious art restoration done in New Zealand.
The 1874 masterpiece Still on Top, by French artist James Tissot, was badly damaged by
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