Steven D. Hales, Ph.D., professor of philosophy, Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, presents “Values and Choices in Art Restoration.”
Dr. Hales engages the audience in discussion about three salient types of value to consider in the restoration of any type of art or artifacts: relic, aesthetic and practical. While these are all legitimate values, a restorer can’t maximize them all, said Dr. Hales. Typically, as you maximize one value, you devalue the others.
The restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral following its tragic fire demonstrates the careful balancing of restoration values, says Dr. Hales. The Cathedral has been restored back to the period in which it was built using construction techniques of that time, yet its restoration gives a nod to modern concerns such as fire prevention in building elements.
The presentation is part of The University of Scranton 2025 Schemel Forum spring semester World Affairs Luncheon Seminars.
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