It is perhaps tempting to believe that the significant works of art have all been found; that the inventories of our national museums are already set-in-stone. Yet each year, these institutions make great efforts to acquire new works for their collections. Botticelli, El Greco and Vermeer were all forgotten masters, before catching the attention of influential critics and collectors. Few artists
can expect a similar revival, but I believe the long road from ‘forgotten master’ to ‘museum acquisition’ is best begun in small, practical steps. Most of us recognise a good picture when we see it in a museum or a gallery, but how will it appear when it surfaces in an unlikely place? Small details such as framing, lighting, conservation and photography can all combine to make masterpieces look ordinary; they can also mask the contributions of interesting and worthy artists. Whilst conservation might rejuvenate the paintings themselves, research can repair the reputations behind them, revealing that forgotten artists were once highly-rated and close to the leading figures of their time. I believe that artistic decline can be accidental, that talent is not always aligned with the right temperament, and that there may simply be more geniuses than we can recognise.
