Major drama’s going down at the Louvre as a pivotal member of the international consulate committee has resigned, allegedly because cleaners got a bit “overzealous” with a Leonardo da Vinci painting. It’s too bright. It’s too sharp. It’s kind of HDR.
Some argue that after the restoration of The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne, the painting’s hues are too radiant for a Renaissance work and Leonardo’s signature blurry contouring — sfumato — is all screwed up. I blame modern times, all this habitual digital retouching of celebrity cellulite and, of course, the HDR trend, which has poisoned the public consciousness with the idea that everything needs to POP. Sometimes things don’t need to POP. Case in point: This Virgin.
A committee of experts will review the restoration on January 3rd and will decide if retouching is needed. Meanwhile, take note, Photoshop overenthusiasts. Less is more.
Well, less than you’re doing.
