Ohara Foundation for the Arts Ohara Museum of Art owns El Greco’s celebrated masterpiece, The Annunciation.
I hear that some people travel from far away to see this painting. Now, The Annunciation is to be restored. This will be its first restoration in 66 years, since 1959.
The Annunciation was painted more than 400 years ago. In 1922, the painter Kojima Torajiro purchased it with the support of Ohara Magosaburo and brought it back to Japan. El Greco’s paintings are held in only two collections in Japan, making them extremely valuable (the other is held by the National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo).
The restoration is being undertaken by painting conservator Eva Martinez, who was invited from the Prado Museum in Spain. Eva says, “I’m working on the restoration with the aim of bringing the painting as close as possible to how it looked when El Greco painted it.”
On July 30, 2025, a mini-lecture by Eva was held, along with an exhibition of restoration tools and the release of photos of the work.
Here, we introduce how the restoration is being carried out, as well as Eva’s impressions of El Greco’s painting.
The information presented was current when this article was published in August 2025. Please note that it may differ from current information.
How is The Annunciation being restored?
According to Eva, the painting was generally in good condition.
However, it had lost the transparency it is thought to have had when it was first painted. There are two main reasons why the painting had changed from its original appearance.
- Damage over time, such as surface dirt and yellowing of the varnish (a protective coating applied to the surface)
- Excessive overpainting during past restorations
Restoration tools and cotton after the dirt was removed.
The restoration work to return the painting to its original condition is being carried out in four main stages:
- Surface cleaning:
Carefully removing dirt from the surface with a water-soluble solvent. - Removing old varnish and overpainting:
Removing the old varnish that covered the original layers of the work, as well as paint added during past restorations. Two types of paint had been used in previous restorations. One was extremely durable and difficult to remove, so a special gel solvent was used. - Filling losses:
Areas where paint has flaked off become indented. Applying paint directly to them would look unnatural, so they are leveled with a filler made by mixing plaster and rabbit-skin glue. The glue is a natural adhesive, and one advantage is that it can be easily removed during future restoration work. - Inpainting:
Color is added to the filled areas using paint made specifically for restoration, so that it blends with the surrounding colors. This inpainting must be done without affecting the original paint, making it extremely delicate work.
The photo shows The Annunciation before restoration on the left and during restoration (before inpainting) on the right. (Photographed July 26, 2025.)
Videos showing Eva at work on the restoration have been posted on the Ohara Museum of Art’s Instagram, X, and YouTube accounts.
They offer a glimpse into the world of painting conservation, which is usually out of public view, including scenes of dirt being removed with a tool like a large cotton swab.
What prompted the restoration of The Annunciation?
The museum also explained what prompted the restoration of The Annunciation.
Researchers and curators from the Ohara Museum of Art visited the Art Institute of Chicago in the United States and toured its conservation studio. At the time, they happened to see a painting by El Greco being restored.
They were struck by the vivid colors of the restored El Greco painting and noticed how different it looked from The Annunciation at the Ohara Museum of Art.
The thought that “perhaps The Annunciation, too, originally had different colors” was the first thing that prompted them to consider restoring it.
Records show that the previous restoration was in 1959.
It was probably undertaken to mark the Ohara Museum of Art’s 30th anniversary the following year. Records show that other works, as well as The Annunciation, were entrusted to a conservator in Japan.
However, there are no records of what the restoration involved, so it is not known what work was done.
Q&A with Eva Martinez
Eva answered questions about her impressions of the restoration and related topics.
What was your first impression when you saw The Annunciation?
Eva (surname omitted)
I thought it was a wonderful work in very good condition.
The colors are very vivid, and it is an elegant painting. The way Mary and the angel Gabriel are depicted is truly beautiful.
The angel’s wings in particular are painted with quick brushstrokes, which I think is a wonderful technique of El Greco’s. The composition is also very well balanced, and conveys a sacred atmosphere.
What is most important when restoring a painting?
Eva
It is important to understand what kind of painting this work is.
We examine the condition of the painting alongside relevant materials, considering the techniques the artist used and what they wanted to express. The most important thing is to use the information we gain to understand the artist’s intentions and the painting before restoring it.
We also have to consider what our goal should be and how far to take the restoration. In particular, I pay close attention to the balance of light and shadow and the composition, and take care not to overdo the inpainting.
What do you find rewarding about restoration work?
Eva
I find it rewarding to see the very best condition after restoration up close—the work at its absolute best.
The best condition is how it would have looked when it was first painted, as if it had never been damaged.
What are the highlights of The Annunciation?
Eva
The exchange of glances between Mary and the angel Gabriel, the conversation conveyed through their eyes alone, and the wonderful composition are what I consider its highlights.
The restoration will bring back El Greco’s lively expression and transparent technique, allowing visitors to see The Annunciation in a condition as close as possible to how it looked when it was painted.
Scheduled to go on display from September onward
At the time of the interview (July 30, 2025), the restoration was about to enter its final stage. Inpainting, the final stage, is the most delicate and time-consuming part of the restoration and takes several weeks.
Even before the final finishing stage, however, I was amazed by how much more vivid the colors had become compared with before the restoration, and by the beauty that made it seem as if light were shining on the painting. The wings of the angel Gabriel were especially striking, revealing the texture of the feathers and El Greco’s brushwork.
I first saw The Annunciation at the Ohara Museum of Art when I was in second grade. I’ve seen The Annunciation from time to time over the past 40 years, so I’m looking forward to seeing how it turns out.
After restoration, The Annunciation is scheduled to go on display again at the Ohara Museum of Art from September onward. The opening date will be announced on the Ohara Museum of Art website.
It looks like an autumn of art, with the chance to experience a beautiful masterpiece.
Articles about the Ohara Museum of Art
Ohara Museum of Art Information
| Name | Ohara Museum of Art |
|---|---|
| Location | 1-1-15 Chuo, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-422-0005 |
| Parking | None |
| Opening hours | 【December–February】 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (last admission: 2:30 p.m.) 【March–November】 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (last admission: 4:30 p.m.) |
| Closed | Mondays Open when a Monday falls on a national holiday or substitute holiday Closed during the winter; may also close temporarily |
| Admission (tax included) | 【General admission】 Adults: ¥2,000 High school, junior high school, and elementary school students (under 18): ¥500 |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Available No reservation required for individuals |
| Smoking | Entire facility is non-smoking |
| Restrooms | Western-style restrooms, accessible restrooms |
| Families with children | Nursing room, diaper-changing tables, stroller rental The nursing room is in the Craft Museum Diaper-changing tables are on the second floor of the Main Building and in the Craft Museum |
| Accessibility | Wheelchair rental, ramps, accessible restrooms, elevator |
| Website | Ohara Museum of Art Official Website |
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