Repairing the damage can take conservators years, so the effort is reserved for the most valuable works, but a fresh approach promises to transform the process by restoring aged artworks in hours. The technique draws on artificial intelligence and other computer tools to create a digital reconstruction of the damaged painting. This is then printed on to a transparent polymer sheet that is carefully laid over the work. ‘The method is likely to be most applicable to paintings of relatively low value that would otherwise be housed behind closed doors, and might not be suitable for famous, valuable artworks,’ he said. ‘However, it could widen public access to art, bringing damaged paintings out of storage and in front of a new audience.