The issue of Artists disowning their work has relation to the
moral rights aspects of copyright.
Moral Rights confer the right to be identified as the author
of a work, but also to deny authorship.
As to restoration, (Canadian) copyright law is specific that an action in
good faith to restore a work does not in and of itself constitute
an infringement of moral rights. However good faith can be questioned
if the artist had made it clear that a certain ageing or degradation of the
physical artwork was intended.
Greg Graham, [log in to unmask]
Balandis Graham Consulting -- arts management
Art Integrity -- Your Gallery on the Web http://www.odyssee.net/~tom2/fine/
Telephone (819) 684-3942