A fundamental goal in the Copernicus House was to protect renaissance wall painting during revitalization of museum building. In addition the overpaint from wooden walls was removed, gaps in painted ceiling were filled with microballoons / epoxid resin and covered by retouches with pigments / B72 paint. Unusual part of the project consisted of developing and making of background panels for the wall painting reconstruction.
To make reconstruction removable specific technique with dibond plates had to be developed.
A solid surface dibond was used. Composite panel comprising of polyethylene core and two aluminium cover sheets were chosen for its low weight and good corrosion resistance. To imitate imperfections of historic walls, polystyrene panels were attached to the dibond with warm glue and then molded with a sharp knife. In order to avoid glue becoming cold, small parts of XPS panels were used and aluminium was heated first with a heat gun. Edges and gaps were filled with Poxipol epoxide glue.
The Subsequent layer was cotton canvas which was impregnated by a mix of Solidat Keim and Lascaux Medium for Consolidation (5:1). Edges of canvas were glued with Lascaux Acrylkleber 498 HV to the back of aluminium panels.
Before mortar, stainless steel screws with round coasters were added. On the surface Keim Dolomitschpachtel with Lascaux Medium for Consolidation addition was applied in two layers. Different pigments were added to change white colour of the ground.
Polychromy was prepared with Keim Fivativ with addition of dry pigments.
Part of the conservation work in the Copernicus House was to reconstruct wall paintings based on historical ornaments preserved in the building from the astronomer time.
Hybryds and beasts were based on medieval wall paintings from Szeroka Street in Toruń.
The Technique noticed above, was used to prepare support bases for wall paintings with illustrations from Schedel Nuremberg Chronicle.
Graphics were applied with black acrylic ink.
After drying, colour glazes with sodmium silicate Keim Fixativ and selected pigments were added.
