I think the practice of restoring artworks is a very dangerous game. Artwork that has been around for centuries cannot be replaced and if they were to, somehow, get messed up during the restoration process then that is a large chunk of history that has been lost. However, I do believe that (if done right) artwork restoration can turn out beautiful as long as the person restoring the artwork is highly skilled and trained within this profession. Personally, I don't believe that the original artist's vision has been changed, just as long as nothing has been changed on the artwork (example: adding a bird or a tree to the painting that was not there before). In conclusion, if done right, art restoration can be a great thing but there is always the factor of danger added in.
The use or study of these symbols is called: iconography. In "The Treason of Images," the artist combines awareness, creativity, and communication by encouraging the viewer to look closely at an object.
