Lacuna

Lacuna — an area of a painting or mural where a layer of paint is missing for some reason. This can be the result of time, poor storage, or even intentional removal. Lacunae vary in size, from microscopic cracks to noticeable "islands" of losses. When restoring a painting, lacunae are often masked so that the viewer is not distracted by the damage — camouflage methods are sometimes quite ingenious.

A known case: during the restoration of a fresco in a monastery, in the place of a lacuna they unexpectedly painted... a cat! But traditionally, restorers fill lacunae with a neutral color so as not to distort the author's intention. The presence of lacunae is important for experts: it is evidence of the authenticity and age of the work. An artistic lacuna is like a scar with a story.