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Crucifixion 1517 - Conservation and Restoration of Art ( Konserwacja i restauracja dzieł sztuki ) - Ewa Lisiak

Master Paul's Crucifixion - Restory - Ewa Lisiak - Conservation and Restoration of Art - 11

Master Paul's Crucifixion

Group was carved in 1517 by Master Paul - a leading renaissance artist active in Gdańsk at the time. Master Paul is relatively well-documented sculptor, with a number of commissioned works. His two others figures - Salvator Mundi and Mater Dolorosa are in St. Mary Church as well.

Sculptures from Crucifixion Group are rare example of monumental masterpiece (Christ is 4,5 m high) from Master Paul early period.

 

Conservation and Restoration of Art

Conservation and restoration treatment was conducted in 2018 as a part of a revitalization project of St. Mary Church in Gdansk.

 

Some questions from this project are briefly presented below.

Conservation and Restoration of Art

Crucifixion 1517
/ Technology and Materials

Sculptures are made of high quality lime. Only certain figur is hollowed. The Polychromy was applied using traditional gold techniques (water gilding) on chalk ground layer. Pigments like azurite and white lead, were bound with egg yolk.

 Conservation and Restoration of Art

Analyzes
/ Stratigraphy and pigments identification

Previous interventions

The group had a numerous re-paintings and changes made in later centuries. Sculptures were repeatedly gilded and partly overpainted (grey layer on cross section).

 Analyzes / Stratigraphy and pigments identification - Conservation and Restoration of Art
 Analyzes / Stratigraphy and pigments identification - Conservation and Restoration of Art
 Conservation and Restoration of Art

Crucifixion 1517
/ Intervention

Previus intevention was made in 1962 and needed to be reconsider and improve.

Several techniques of cleaning were tested on different surfaces to evaluate best treatments. After mechanical cleaning, to remove rest of the dirt, water with Tris pH 7 was applied on a paint surface, and cyclomethicone on gilded parts. To remove subsequent layers - emulsion, oil or water binded in-paintings and a different kinds of varnishes - wilde rage of polar solvents like ethanol and butanol proved to be the most useful. For sensitive bole carbopol with dioxolane, formic acid and benzyl alcohol was mixed.

testing solvents for chemical cleaning - Conservation and Restoration of Art
testing solvents for chemical cleaning

After cleaning and fixing polychromy with Salianski glue and Lascaux Medium for Consolidation, local disinfecting with permethrin was done.

 

Retouches in Paraloid B72 resin were kept to a minimum. Gold powder was used to repair gilded areas.

retouches was made with Paraloid B72 with selected pigments - Conservation and Restoration of Art
retouches was made with Paraloid B72 with selected pigments
removing subseqence materials with UV lamp / retouchings show up bright with a ultraviolet light  -  Conservation and Restoration of Art
removing subseqence materials with UV lamp / retouchings show up bright with a ultraviolet light 

Crucifixion 1517
/ Reconstruction

Gilded halos, which were kept from the II World War in the storage, were fitted in its original place. Based on one ray found in St. John’s hand, another forty nine found in archive images were reconstructed.

Conservation and Restoration of Art
Conservation and Restoration of Art

Gold was burnished on transparent two-layered bole (orange-color bottom and dark intense red over).

 

Metal leafs were put only on part of the rays surface, to imitate sparkles.

 Conservation and Restoration of Art
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  • Technology and Materials / Crucifixion 1517
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  • Antwerp Altar 1510
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  • Astronomical Clock 1470 / Reconstructions 1993
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  • St. Jacobs Altar 1430
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  • Models from 50's
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menu
  • Antwerp Altar 1510
  • Astronomical Clock 1470
  • Astronomical Clock 1470 / Reconstructions 1993
  • Madonna with Child 1430
  • Crucifixion 1517
  • Group of St. George 1420
  • St. Jacobs Altar 1430
  • Crucifix 1430
  • Models from 50's
  • II War Museum
  • Copernicus House
  • Puppets
  • Polish Fashion
  • Rosaries from Stutthof
  • Michniów
  • Others
  • Holy Trinity
menu
  • Infant Jesus
  • Technology and Materials / Crucifixion 1517
  • Ultraviolet Test / Crucifix 1430
  • Radiography / Group of St. George 1420
  • Technology and Materials / Antwerp Altar 1510
  • Technology / Astronomical Clock
  • Cross sections / Astronomical Clock