Rebecca Hellen, the National Trust conservator, explains that ‘along with sooty grime deposited from fireplaces, people smoking would have contributed to the surface dirt’ on Monet’s painting. This emphasizes how habits of the past can inadvertently alter the preservation of art.
The Charing Cross Bridge painting, initially begun in 1899, underwent significant changes by Monet over the years, including the addition of vibrant yellow hues that were later obscured by grime, illustrating the dynamic nature of art and its conservation history.
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