Introduction to Restorative Art

A comprehensive vocabulary set covering the principles, anatomical terms, ethics, and history of Restorative Art in funeral service.

Restorative Art (RA)

The care of the deceased to recreate natural form and color.

Color and Form

The two key words used to define the process of Restorative Art.

Natural Form

The aspect of restoration that requires thinking in $3D$.

Natural Color Determinants

Determined by its pigmentation, spectral composition, and the impact of highlights and shadows.

Intestinal Fortitude

The unbiased attitude an embalmer needs to embrace when conducting restorations.

Unbiased Attitude

A requirement for restorative artists to focus on the goal of presenting the body for the family rather than the cause of death.

Primary Restoration Goal

To present the body in a desirable manner for the family.

Restorative Procedure Scope

Any procedure, treatment, or application dealing with human remains that serves to aid in recreating natural form and color.

Physiognomy

The study of the structures and surface markings of the face and features.

Surface Markings

Features of the face and features studied as part of physiognomy.

Norm

The most common characteristics of each feature; typical, common, or average.

Standard for Restoration

The norm is used as a guide or model from which the artist deviates to match individual characteristics.

Feature Deviation

The process of changing from the norm to match the specific characteristics of an individual.

Anatomical Position Importance

A baseline review necessary because these terms are used throughout the study of Restorative Art.

Anterior

Anatomical term meaning toward the front.

Posterior

Anatomical term meaning toward the back.

Superior

Anatomical term meaning toward the head or higher.

Inferior

Anatomical term meaning toward the feet or lower.

Medial

Term meaning nearer the median plane of the body.

Median Plane Body Position

The plane that divides the body into equal right and left halves.

Lateral

Term meaning away from the median line.

Superficial

Anatomical term meaning toward the surface or on the surface of the body.

Deep

Anatomical term meaning away from the surface of the body.

Convex

A surface that is curved like the exterior of a circle or sphere.

Concave

A surface that is curved inward like the interior of a circle or sphere.

Protrusion

The state or condition of being thrust forward or projecting.

Depression

A hollow or lowered region on a surface.

Projection

A part that extends outward in relation to its surroundings.

Recession

The act of a surface moving back or withdrawing from a certain point.

Forehead Example (Recession)

A profile characteristic where the forehead withdraws from the eyebrows.

Chin Example (Projection)

A profile characteristic where the chin extends beyond the lips.

Bilateral

A term meaning having two sides.

Frontal View

An observation of a feature or the face from the front.

Profile View

An observation of a feature or the face from the side.

Inclination

A term used to describe a slope or slant.

Mid-sagittal Plane

Another name for the median plane.

Horizontal Plane

A plane that divides the body into top and bottom sections.

Oblique Plane

A diagonal plane that is neither horizontal nor vertical.

Frontal Plane

A plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior sections.

Minor Restoration

A restoration requiring a minimum of effort, skill, or time to complete.

Major Restoration

A restoration requiring a long period of time, extensive technical skill, or complex procedures.

Minor Restoration Effort

Characterized by the minimum amount of labor needed to finish the task.

Minor Restoration Skill

A classification based on the lower complexity of the techniques involved.

Minor Restoration Time

A procedure that can be completed quickly compared to major cases.

Major Restoration Time

A procedure involving a long period spent on recreating features.

Major Restoration Skill

A process requiring high-level technical expertise from the embalmer.

Extensive Procedure Requirement

A characteristic of major restorations involving widespread repair.

The $\frac{2}{3}$ Rule

The guideline stating that restoration is not ordinarily attempted unless at least two-thirds of facial structures remain intact.

Wax Replica Risk

The result of a restoration where less than $\frac{2}{3}$ of structures remain, leading to an interpretation rather than a likeness.

Major Restoration Authorization

Required permission outside the norm for complex restorative work.

Extra Invasive Procedures Permission

Required signed consent for treatments that go beyond standard embalming.

Authorizing Agent Communication

Necessary when deciding whether to conceal or alter distinguishing characteristics.

Asymmetry Definition

The lack of true symmetry, balance, and proportion exhibited by the human face.

Proportion in Faces

An element of facial structure that lacks true mathematical balance in humans.

Difference in Paired Features

A natural variation in features that occurs on opposite sides of the face.

Mirroring Side Comparison

A technique showing how right and left sides of the face differ in a normal human.

Professional Responsibility

The obligation to be proficient in RA to represent oneself, the firm, and the profession.

Firm/Company Representation

The concept that an embalmer's restorative skill reflects the quality of the employer.

Funeral Professional Representation

The idea that individual restorative results impact the public's view of all funeral service workers.

Psychological Effect of Viewing

The benefit provided to the family by seeing the deceased in a normal state.

Open-Casket Adjustments

Better psychological recovery and less substance abuse are associated with this practice.

Death Denial Confrontation

The psychological process aided by viewing the deceased during funeral services.

Ethical Restoration Inaction

The principle that refusing to perform restoration based on time or effort is unethical.

Guaranteeing Restoration Results

An action an embalmer should never take, as outcomes vary per case.

Restoration Viability Decision

The responsibility of the embalmer or firm, not the medical examiner, to decide if viewing is possible.

Finder of Specialists

The ethical duty of a firm to seek outside help if they are not skilled enough for a requested major restoration.

Foundations of Modern RA

Based on the funeral customs of the United States and Canada.

Semblance of Normality

The primary goal of U.S. and Canadian funeral customs regarding the presentation of the deceased.

Egyptian Restorative Art

Identified as the first culture likely to practice restorative art.

Middle Ages Care (History)

Period where postmortem care of royalty utilized techniques resembling Egyptian methods.

$13^{th}$ and $14^{th}$ Century Royalty

The specific era in the Middle Ages where advanced postmortem care was documented.

Italian Renaissance Impact

A historical period that contributed to the development of restorative art knowledge.

France and England (History)

Countries where mask making was developed as part of restorative practices.

Mask Making History

A method developed in France and England during the history of restorative art.

Dr. Thomas Holmes (RA History)

His development of embalming techniques increased the opportunity to view the deceased.

Mid-$1920's$ Chemical Companies

The period and industry that first introduced restorative waxes for funeral service.

Plastic Surgery (Historical Material)

One of the early medical influences or methods mentioned in the development of RA.

Plaster of Paris (Historical Material)

A material used in restoration before the standard use of modern waxes.

Clay (Historical Material)

A moldable substance used historically in restoring facial features.

Putty (Historical Material)

A historic restorative material used prior to modern embalming chemicals.

Soap (Historical Material)

A substance used in early attempts at restorative art.

Modern Restorative Waxes

Introduced in the mid-$1920's$ to replace materials like clay and putty.

Spectral Composition

A component of light and physics that contributes to natural skin color.

Highlights and Shadows Impact

Factors from the face's contour that affect its natural perceived color.

Pigmentation

The primary determinant of skin color levels within restoration.

$3D$ Thinking

The conceptual approach required for an artist to master natural form.

Typical Characteristics (Norm)

The most common versions of features used to establish a standard.

Common Characteristics (Norm)

One of the descriptors used to define the typical features found in physiognomy.

Average Characteristics (Norm)

The baseline value for facial features used as a restorative model.

Authorizing Agent

The person whose permission must be sought regarding the concealment of distinguishing characteristics.

Standard Model (Norm)

The role the norm plays as a starting point for facial feature recreation.

Facial Structures Assessment

Evaluated using the $\frac{2}{3}$ rule to determine if restoration is feasible.

Facing Front (Anatomy)

The definition of a frontal view in restorative art.

Side Position (Anatomy)

The definition of a profile view in restorative art.

Slant or Slope

The common meaning for the term inclination.

Two Sides (Anatomy)

The meaning of the term bilateral.

Toward the Head

The definition of superior.

Toward the Feet

The definition of inferior.

Nearer the Surface

The definition of superficial.

Away from the Surface

The definition of deep.