ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Baumgartner Restoration Revives a Portrait Folded in Transit

other · 2026-05-20

Art conservator Julian Baumgartner, founder of Baumgartner Fine Art Restoration in Chicago, received an anonymous portrait that had been folded inside a mangled parcel. Despite substantial creases, tears, and worn-away paint, Baumgartner used reversible, archival materials to restore the painting. He documented the process in a video titled "Fortune Favors the Fold" on his YouTube channel. The restoration highlights the studio's mission to conserve artworks for future generations.

Key facts

  • Julian Baumgartner is an art conservator.
  • He runs Baumgartner Fine Art Restoration in Chicago.
  • The portrait arrived folded in a damaged parcel.
  • The painting had creases, tears, and worn-away paint.
  • Baumgartner used reversible, archival materials for restoration.
  • The restoration video is titled 'Fortune Favors the Fold'.
  • The video is available on YouTube.
  • The studio focuses on conserving artworks for future generations.

Entities

Artists

  • Julian Baumgartner

Institutions

  • Baumgartner Fine Art Restoration
  • Colossal
  • YouTube

Locations

  • Chicago
  • United States

Sources