Davaar Cave Painting vandalised !!!

by **Surfbored** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 6:43 pm

Terrible news !!!!

Like most I hope whoever did it is caught and severely punished.

However, and I don't want this to veer of topic, but I've never rated the restorartion that was done on it, it looked very different from the original and surely that isn't restoration as such).

Perhaps when it is restored it can be done properly back to the way it was originally.

by **dgraves** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 7:09 pm

I just hope, like the rest of you, that restoration of the painting is possible.
What a horrible, mean-spirited thing to do!!!

by **Surfbored** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 11:27 pm

For all of y'all that aren't from these parts .............

...... the original cave painting was "restored" due to the ravages of time by local arist Ronnie Togneri, and while he did a great job of painting Jesus on a Cross, it didn't look like the original Jesus on a Cross. (a bit like Van Gogh painting the Cistine Chapel really).

btw. Ronnie is a great artist, no doubt, so the whole thing above is a moot point about restoration. I firmly believe restoration is a specialist thing, and it involves restoring something to it's original glory, and not just (in this case) painting Jesus on a Cross. It's really bothered me all night that I bothered to mention this, and it wasn't a slur or meant to ruffle any feathers, but the restoration of the cave painting has always been a contentious issue which I feel was done on the cheap the 1st time around (as in get a noted local artist) ..... restoration is a very different skill from being good at painting.

But the more I think about this, if a fund can be got going, get some artist that can work from the plentiful pics of the original, get him/or her over to Davaar and get this sorted out.

And regardless, I still think the people that are responsible for this should be strung up by the balls, and I'm sure that that feeling resonates very deeply in the local community

Mr. Togneri, if you are reading this, this is no disrespect to your obvious artistic talents

by **Malky** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 12:37 am

Surfbored, the painting has been restored a number of times over the years. As you know, it was originally painted by Archibald MacKinnon in 1887. It was restored by him in 1902, then again in 1934 and he made changes each time he painted it.

It was further restored by John McInally in the '60s and then more recently by Ronald Togneri and as you mentioned, each time it was restored, it was changed. I'm kinda with you on the point that restoration should be done in a sympathetic manner to the original but when the original artist changed his painting each time he restored it, it's difficult to point the finger at later artists and criticise them for making further changes.

Given that the painting would probably have disappeared by now (through the ravages of time and water) without someone restoring it, I still prefer that it has been worked on than not.

Some photos now.

EDIT. This is the original 1887 painting (thanks Russell).

A photo of the first restoration.

A photo of the John McInally version (1955).

jdcarra photo from a month or so ago.

Malky

by **Dunc** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 9:56 pm

Like most people I think it's vandalism at its worst whether it be "kids" or not.I do agree with the comments on the restoration however in that over the years the picture has changed a lot from the 1902 photo eg who put the halo in?..the loin cloth seems to have been refolded and there is actually another photo showing larger changes and I think everyone will agree first to last shows a lot of "artistic licence".Perhaps Malky could put the 4th photo also in..
I,ve a funny feeling that someone by the name of Crawford may also have added to it many years ago.
I think to be authentic if anything it would need to be taken back to the image existing from 1902 or left as an example of the times we live in....like Cologne Cathedral.

by **petewick** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 10:12 am

That would be John Crawford, Dunc, Mr McInallys succesor and Mr Togneris predecesor as head of the art department at the Grammar School.
Incidently, he lived at the Shipyard House that was struck by lightning the other night.

petewick

by **4th gen Suthen'** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 10:34 am

That's gie near spooookeeeee Petewick.........higher forces at work some might say...................

by **petewick** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 10:41 am

4th gen Suthen' wrote::shock: That's gie near spooookeeeee Petewick.........higher forces at work some might say...................

you must keep your appointment with the wicker man 4th gen!!!!!!!

by **Malky** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 2:31 pm

For those who are interested in the damage that has been done to the cave painting, have a look at the following link.

http://www.campbeltownloch.com/photogallery.php?album_id=9

Malky

by **SmithD** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 2:54 pm

When I read about the vandalism I assumed it was just spray painted over, but looking at the link this is quite an extreme thing.

Looks like a well planned expedition over the dhorlin. And very sad to see. :cry:

It is a popular walk among tourists and locals, surely someone must have seen something, as it is light later a night and early morning here is aways someone about down that way walking dogs etc....

by **Bruce** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 5:13 pm

That is quite extreme - I now agree that it was not the work of kids, but actually someone that obviously had plenty of time and was working with a stencil of some sort! As SmithD says, someone must have seen something!

by **Lossit Lass** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 5:33 pm

I haven't visited the forum for a while & thought I'd check in & catch up.
Reading thru I was really shocked to hear about this. It's really horrible & I'm so sorry it happened.
If they are caught I agree with Mary QofE that humiliating public service should be part of the punishment. Then go one step further and make them parade in public with a sign stating exactly what they are guilty of. Further, they should be made to contribute lots of (supervised) time toward some kind of community historical work & education.
I would be amazed if they are locals mainly because you'd think the fear of certain community shunning would/should be a big deterrent?!
Anyway, locals or not, if caught they should pay big, locally.

If someone hasn't already done so, maybe it would help to post 'wanted' notices at other high-traffic Scottish/UK forums. You may at least get leads??

If a fund is started for repair/restoration, please post notice or let me know as I would like to contribute.

by **amron** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 5:37 pm

I am totally shocked at the level of vandalism, I did not expect that at all.

That must have been premeditated.

Lets hope whoever is responsible is caught soon.

by **Ship called Dignity** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 6:03 pm

Shocking

by **Mags B** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 6:07 pm

This vandalism is really appalling - and those responsible are no doubt very pleased with themselves and may have been boasting about it somewhere? If they are local, someone is bound to hear something before too long. If they are not local, would more publicity help - has anyone been in touch with some of the Scottish newspapers - Herald/Scotsman/Record - to see if they would do an article on it and appeal for information? Or would that publicity just make the culprits feel even more clever?

Davaar Cave Painting vandalised !!!

Davaar Cave Painting vandalised !!!

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