Documentos de Académico
Documentos de Profesional
Documentos de Cultura
de Educación, Cultura
y Deporte
Criterios de intervención
en retablos y escultura policromada
The COREMANS Project
Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculptures
Proyecto COREMANS
Criterios de intervención
en retablos y escultura
policromada
Intervention criteria
for altarpieces and
polychrome sculpture
Catálogo de publicaciones del Ministerio: www.mecd.gob.es
Catálogo general de publicaciones oficiales: publicacionesoficiales.boe.es
Edición 2017
Coordinación científica
Laura Ceballos Enríquez. Instituto del Patrimonio Cultural de España (IPCE)
Comisión científica
Laura Ceballos Enríquez. Instituto del Patrimonio Cultural de España (IPCE)
María Francisca Sarrió Martín. Subdirección del Institut Valencià de Conservació i Restauració IVC+R CulturArts Generalitat
María Teresa Real Palma. Instituto Andaluz del Patrimonio Histórico (IAPH)
Juan Carlos Martín García. Centro de Conservación y Restauración de Bienes Culturales de Castilla y León (CCRBC de C y L)
Josep Paret Pey. Centre de Restauració de Béns Mobles de Catalunya (CRBMC)
Beatriz Gonzalo Alconada. Instituto del Patrimonio Cultural de España (IPCE)
Coordinación de la publicación
Pablo Jiménez Díaz
Lorenzo Martín Sánchez
Fotografías
Archivo IPCE
Fondo gráfico IAPH
Archivo CRBMC
De los autores
Corrección de textos
Alba Falcón Márquez
Fig. 1: (Fotografía de la cubierta): Ángel de la Anunciación. Retablo Mayor de la Iglesia Prioral de Santa María de Carmona, Sevilla.
Autor: Juan Bautista Vázquez el Viejo, c. 1560. Conservación y Restauración realizada por el Instituto de Patrimonio Cultural de España, 2009.
Foto: Antonio Ceruelo, Archivo IPCE.
NIPO: 030-17-057-1
DOI: 10.4438/030-17-057-1
ÍNDICE / INDEX
Introducción................................................................................................................................................ 9
Marco normativo.......................................................................................................................................11
Consideraciones y recomendaciones generales.....................................................................................15
Documentación, investigación y diagnóstico........................................................................................17
Propuesta de actuación en conservación y restauración....................................................................23
Fases de actuación en conservación y restauración.............................................................................26
Recomendaciones de conservación preventiva tras el tratamiento......................................................54
Memoria y difusión del proyecto.............................................................................................................62
ANEXO: Glosario de alteraciones............................................................................................................64
Introduction..............................................................................................................................................82
Regulatory framework..............................................................................................................................84
General considerations and recommendations...................................................................................88
Documentation, research and diagnosis................................................................................................90
Treatment Proposal...................................................................................................................................96
Stages of intervention...............................................................................................................................99
Guidelines for preventive conservation after treatment....................................................................127
Treatment report and project dissemination......................................................................................135
APPENDIX: Alterations glossary wooden sculpture............................................................................137
Proyecto COREMANS
Criterios de intervención
en retablos y escultura
policromada
Fig. 2: Imagen de Buda. Pan de oro y laca sobre madera. Anónimo, probablemente
periodo Edo (Japón 1603-1868). Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas. Actualmente
en restauración en el IPCE. Foto: Laura Ceballos, IPCE.
ÍNDICE
Introducción
El presente documento continúa el proyecto COREMANS promovido por el Instituto del Patri-
monio Cultural de España (IPCE)1. Su objetivo es la propuesta y definición de un conjunto de
criterios y recomendaciones fundamentales a la hora de intervenir en la conservación y restau-
ración de obras u objetos que forman parte del patrimonio cultural y cuyo soporte material es
fundamentalmente de madera, tallada y policromada.
La escultura policromada ha sido la base material de las imágenes de culto en los países
católicos, y por ello nuestro país, contrarreformista por excelencia, cuenta con un importantísi-
mo legado patrimonial, conservado en museos y recintos religiosos, con una cronología que se
extiende desde la época medieval hasta nuestros días.
Por su composición y, sobre todo, por su uso en la imaginería que es objeto de culto en
fechas determinadas y se muestra en romerías y procesiones, la escultura de madera policroma-
da sufre excepcionales deterioros en el soporte y la superficie.
Con el desarrollo de los métodos de estudio y análisis aplicados a los bienes culturales,
se han descubierto características que habían pasado inadvertidas hasta entonces, como la com-
plejidad de los acabados pictóricos y su evolución a través del tiempo. El objetivo actual de la
conservación tiende a proteger estas huellas del paso de la historia, así como a identificar y
frenar los agentes de deterioro, teniendo en cuenta el entorno físico y social donde las obras se
custodian.
1
En el año 2013 se publicó el volumen Criterios de intervención en materiales pétreos. Subdirección General del Instituto
del Patrimonio Cultural de España. Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte. https://sede.educacion.gob.es/publiventa/
detalle.action?cod=14516C. En el año 2016 se publicó el volumen Criterios de intervención en materiales metálicos. Sub-
dirección General del Instituto del Patrimonio Cultural de España. Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte. https://sede.
educacion.gob.es/publiventa/proyecto-coremans-criterios-de-intervencionen-materiales-metalicos/conservacion-restaura-
cion/20501C
9
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
En los últimos 20 años ha habido un notable incremento de las intervenciones sobre reta-
blos y esculturas, ya sea desde la administración pública o desde el ámbito eclesiástico o de las
cofradías. Cada uno de estos entornos ha tenido sus propias peculiaridades al enfrentarse a la
restauración de las piezas, derivadas de los usos o tradiciones y las diferentes sensibilidades de
cada región o grupo social concreto. La complejidad material de la escultura policromada y los
retablos posibilita que las opciones de tratamiento se multipliquen y sea difícil una unidad de
criterio sobre la práctica de la conservación.
10
1
Marco normativo
Los primeros documentos, reconocidos a nivel internacional, que recogen criterios de conser-
vación y restauración se dirigen principalmente a las actuaciones en monumentos y bienes
inmuebles (Carta de Atenas, 1931; Carta de Venecia, 1964). Sus principios pueden aplicarse a
bienes muebles para la definición de conceptos tan amplios como conservación y restauración,
y destacan por ser los primeros en introducir el valor de la investigación y la multidisciplinarie-
dad como requisitos previos a la ejecución de un trabajo de restauración. Posteriormente se va
desarrollando en Italia (Cartas del Restauro)2 la teoría de la restauración, aplicable a todo bien
patrimonial, gracias a las aportaciones de Cesare Brandi, Alois Riegl y otros teóricos del arte;
se irá perfilando toda una filosofía o ética de las intervenciones cuyo objetivo será establecer
la correcta actuación de los profesionales para no perjudicar la integridad de las obras. Como
principios generales se han ido introduciendo los siguientes:
–– Definición de la integridad del objeto, valorando las aportaciones de todas las épocas en la
historia del bien cultural, incluyendo la preocupación por el mantenimiento de las pátinas.
Estos criterios están en continua revisión y puesta al día, y por ello las Directrices Profesio-
nales de la Confederación Europea de Organizaciones de Conservadores-Restauradores, ECCO
(2002), recomiendan mantener “una constante actualización respecto a los últimos descubri-
mientos y criterios éticos”.
2
Carta del Restauro de 1932, Carta Italiana del Restauro de 1972, Carta de Conservación y Restauración de Objetos de Arte
y Cultura de 1987.
12
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
1990. Constitución del Grupo Latino de Trabajo sobre Escultura Policromada, que tiene
como antecedentes la sección del grupo de países latinos (España, Portugal e Italia) del Grupo
de Trabajo de Escultura Policromada del Comité de Conservación del ICOM. En este grupo se
debaten y definen por primera vez un glosario terminológico, un diseño de fichas para el estu-
dio de motivos polícromos y modelos de informes técnicos para el estudio de la escultura y su
conservación. Sus trabajos nunca se publicaron como tales, pero sus aportaciones teóricas se
han venido incluyendo parcialmente en otras publicaciones.
2002 (marzo). Los Retablos: estudios, proyecto e intervención. Curso celebrado por
el Instituto de Patrimonio Cultural de España en el centro de la Agencia Española de Coopera-
ción para el Desarrollo en Cartagena de Indias (Colombia). En él se redacta la Carta de Retablos,
donde se definieron unos principios respecto a políticas de actuación, aplicación de recursos y
propuestas metodológicas que afectan a la conservación de los retablos.
3
VV. AA.: Documento de Retablos 2002, en “Metodología para la Conservación de Retablos de Madera Policromada”. (Ed.
Junta de Andalucía 2002).
4
http://www.gciresources.org/retablo/index2.php?id=1
13
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
Fig. 5: Antiguas instalaciones del taller de escultura en el Instituto Central de Conservación y Restauración (ICCR, hoy IPCE),
situado entonces temporalmente en el edificio del Museo de América de Madrid en los años 70. Foto: IPCE.
14
2
Consideraciones
y recomendaciones
generales
Fig. 6: Figura en relieve representando la Iglesia. Autor desconocido (c. 1460). Retablo de Belén en la Iglesia de Santa María de
Laredo (Cantabria). Conservación y restauración realizada por el Instituto del Patrimonio Cultural de España, 2014. Foto: IPCE.
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
Por regla general, los retablos y los conjuntos escultóricos están unidos a un espacio arquitectó-
nico que engloba también otros elementos: púlpitos, pinturas murales, mesas de altar, sepulcros,
rejas, etc., que les son complementarios. También sirven a un entorno social y religioso que
confiere un valor inmaterial añadido a sus características estéticas, técnicas e históricas. Sin estas
cualidades de complementariedad con el espacio y con el uso, el bien se descontextualiza y
pierde parte de su valor, intención estética y sentido religioso. Cualquier intervención debe tener
en cuenta y respetar estas características, a pesar de que la relación con el entorno físico y social
sea en muchos casos el origen de sus alteraciones.
Esto somete a un esfuerzo nuestro criterio sobre los procesos de estabilización en origen
de los retablos y esculturas para poder hacer compatible su entorno y su uso con su conserva-
ción. Esta compatibilidad se logra mediante una planificación integral de las actuaciones en el
edificio, desarrollando estrategias de conservación preventiva en el entorno, solucionando los
problemas relacionados con la estabilidad y estanqueidad del edificio y mediante la difusión
de las actividades de conservación que se realicen, a través de programas de sensibilización e
implicación de la sociedad en la conservación del Patrimonio Cultural.
Los tratamientos deben diseñarse en función del problema concreto a resolver, tras un
estudio previo y un diagnóstico que facilite una propuesta de intervención razonable partiendo
de las características climáticas del entorno y de los medios disponibles. Una escultura, un con-
junto escultórico o un retablo, constituyen una unidad en su estructura, soporte y forma. Por ello
deben tratarse todos los elementos, decorativos y estructurales, con el mismo nivel de respeto
y meticulosidad, evitando la sustitución de partes originales, aunque se trate de elementos de
soporte secundarios5.
La calidad de las intervenciones deberá asegurarse con los sistemas de control y segui-
miento que se consideren más adecuados en cada caso, tanto en los procesos como en los tra-
tamientos y materiales utilizados6. Para ello los equipos técnicos estarán integrados por personal
cualificado con titulación oficial especializada, competentes en cada una de las materias relacio-
nadas con las diversas fases del proceso, las obras dirigidas con transparencia por profesionales
de reconocida solvencia y controladas por parte de los promotores de la intervención.
Los materiales y las técnicas empleadas deben ser compatibles con el bien cultural, reco-
mendándose por ello el empleo de sistemas tradicionales o de nuevos sistemas7 cuando éstos
estén científicamente contrastados y cumplan el criterio de re-tratabilidad8.
5
ICOMOS: Principios que deben regir la conservación de estructuras históricas de madera (1999).
6
“Cualquier propuesta de intervención debe ir acompañada de un programa de control que, en la medida de lo posible,
deberá llevarse a cabo mientras se ejecuta la obra”. Medidas Correctoras y de Control de los Principios para el Análisis,
Conservación y Restauración de las Estructuras del Patrimonio Arquitectónico, ICOMOS, Zimbabwe (2003).
7
“Cualquier material y tecnología nuevos deben ser probados rigurosamente, comparados y adecuados a la necesidad real
de la conservación”. Principios para la Conservación y Restauración del Patrimonio Construido, UNESCO, Cracovia (2000).
8
“Toda intervención sobre la obra (...) debe ser realizada de tal manera y con tales técnicas y materias que se pueda tener
la confianza de que en el futuro no resultará imposible una nueva y eventual intervención de C/R”. Carta de 1987 de la
Conservación y la Restauración (sustituye a la Carta Italiana del Restauro 1972).
16
3
Documentación,
investigación
y diagnóstico
Fig. 7: San Esteban. Autores: Pablo de Rojas, con policromía de Pedro de Raxis, c. 1588. Catedral de Granada. Conservación
y restauración realizada en el Instituto del Patrimonio Cultural de España el año 2014. Foto: José Puy. IPCE.
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
Los estudios tienen un marcado carácter interdisciplinar y se realizan tanto previamente como a lo
largo de toda la actuación, siendo doble su finalidad: por un lado, comprender la lógica de la obra
escultórica, su materia, su técnica de realización, su historia, y cómo influye ésta en los procesos de
deterioro que marcan sus patologías; por otro, conocer e investigar el bien cultural, entendido como
un documento único a través del cual se pueden leer los hechos acaecidos en el tiempo y acrecentar
los conocimientos de la historia del arte y de las manifestaciones culturales donde se inserta el bien.
Documentación gráfica y métrica. Las herramientas gráficas explican con mayor cla-
ridad, que un análisis narrativo, la materialidad y la disposición de los elementos de una obra
escultórica. El objeto y su tecnología deben estar definidos a escala por sus correspondientes
plantas, alzados, secciones y croquis de elementos constructivos. En el caso de estructuras de
madera complejas (conjuntos de retablos, mueble litúrgico, etc.) se recomienda la fotogrametría
y orto-fotografía con base informática. Un objeto medido y dibujado se convierte así en un ob-
jeto interpretado y comprendido.
18
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
Estudio compositivo del bien cultural: Se puede estudiar desde varios ámbitos:
–– Análisis técnico constructivo. Se realiza a través del estudio de las huellas del proceso de
fabricación del soporte de la escultura o conjunto: tipo de madera, marcas de taller, huellas
de herramientas, marcas de montaje, disposición de los bloques para la talla, técnica de
ahuecado, etc. En el caso de estructuras complejas, el análisis de este conjunto de datos
ayuda a determinar el historial constructivo de la obra y sus modificaciones en el tiempo,
que se consignan de forma gráfica en el estudio planimétrico.
9
“La conservación y restauración de los monumentos constituye una disciplina que se sirve de todas las ciencias y técnicas
que puedan contribuir al estudio y a la salvaguardia del patrimonio monumental”. Carta de Venecia, art. 2 (1964).
19
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
Fig. 8: Documentación gráfica de la estructura de los elementos, registrada durante los trabajos de conservación y
restauración de la cajonería de la sacristía de la Catedral de Murcia en 2011. Foto: Laura Ceballos, IPCE.
Fig. 9: Proceso de exploración del conjunto del Calvario del Retablo de Belén (Iglesia de Santa María de Laredo) por
tomografía computarizada en el hospital comarcal de Laredo (Cantabria). Foto: Laura Ceballos, IPCE.
20
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
–– Caracterización de materiales constitutivos. Son muchos los materiales que entran a formar
parte de una obra de escultura policromada y los estudios deben centrarse en aquellos que
sean representativos para la atribución, datación o procedencia de la misma en base a una
sincronía o comparación con modelos existentes. Por ello, en cada obra se debe establecer
una prioridad y recogida sistemática de muestras del soporte, policromía (pigmentos y
aglutinantes) o revestimientos, que atienda a una búsqueda de información concreta, justifica-
da dentro del proyecto de Conservación/Restauración, y que debe ser correctamente transmi-
tida al laboratorio. La toma de muestra debe ser la mínima necesaria, y se efectuará siempre
en zonas representativas pero poco visibles, seleccionándolas de acuerdo con los responsa-
bles11 de la obra. Las muestras extraídas y el material científico asociado se deben almacenar
e inventariar con el fin de que en el futuro se puedan realizar estudios complementarios.
Estudio del entorno y riesgos del bien cultural: Este estudio analizará básicamente el
riesgo de deterioro12 de la obra en el entorno en que se conserva:
–– Se estudiará, mediante entrevistas con el propietario o gestor, la función que cumple y las expec-
tativas de uso de la obra13, como objeto científico, expositivo, de culto, etc. El análisis tiene como
finalidad establecer si este uso es compatible o no con su conservación a largo plazo, valorando
las costumbres de mantenimiento o conservación del núcleo social donde se conserva la obra.
–– El estudio de biodeterioro por ataque biológico sólo se puede medir estimando la sa-
lubridad del ambiente donde se conserva la obra de madera, y constatando la presencia
10
Es un estudio estratigráfico de las policromías en los diferentes campos de color de la escultura, cuya finalidad es esta-
blecer la relación entre las diferentes capas, relacionándolas, y estableciendo así la lectura cronológica de la evolución
histórica de la policromía sobre una escultura.
11
Entendemos como responsables los propietarios o custodios de la obra (director de museo, cargo administrativo, o respon-
sable de la Iglesia).
12
Son las amenazas que podrían alterar el interés patrimonial, y la probabilidad de que se den. UNE_EN 15898 Conservación
del patrimonio cultural. Principales términos generales y definiciones. Marzo 2012.
13
Sean traslados, escenificaciones, desmontaje de imágenes, afluencia de público, presencia de velas, etc.
14
Las causas de entrada de agua más estudiadas en edificios antiguos son la filtración capilar del suelo, la filtración de agua
de lluvia o defectos de drenaje del edificio, y las condensaciones debidas a altas humedades sobre superficies frías. Los
equipamientos museísticos como vitrinas y sistemas de climatización obsoletos también pueden dar origen a problemas
de condensación de agua que pueden afectar a la conservación de las obras.
21
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
Asimismo, es necesario promover una mayor investigación sobre los materiales empleados
en restauración, mediante ensayos de nuevos métodos o procedimientos de limpieza de super-
ficies polícromas en escultura, así como de pruebas de envejecimiento o mecánicas para los
materiales que se apliquen directamente sobre escultura policromada.
15
El examen consiste en:
–– identificación, determinación de la composición y la evaluación del estado de conservación
–– la identificación, naturaleza y extensión de las alteraciones
–– la evaluación de las causas de deterioro
–– la determinación del tipo y la extensión del tratamiento necesitado
–– el estudio de la información existente relevante
Directrices profesionales de ECCO: La profesión y su código ético. 2002
16
Deterioro: “proceso que conduce a una disminución o depreciación de la calidad, valor, carácter, etc”. En Glosario ilustra-
do de formas de deterioro de la piedra ICOMOS-ISCS, Monumentos y Sitios XV (2011).
17
Mediante trabajo de campo.
18
AIC. Comentarios a las GUIDELINES FOR PRACTICE (directrices para la práctica), 2003. Comentario 18: Interpretación
19
Punto 2.1. ICOMOS. Carta de Ename, 2005.
22
4
Propuesta
de actuación
en conservación
y restauración
Fig. 10: San Francisco de Asís. Autor: Pedro de Mena, c. 1662. Catedral Primada de Toledo. Conservación y restauración
realizada en el IPCE en el año 2009. Foto: José Puy. IPCE.
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
Por ello la propuesta de actuación debe responder a estos principios éticos, inherentes a
la práctica profesional:
–– No ceder a la presión social existente para reducir los recursos necesarios para la realización de traba-
jos que están dirigidos a la conservación de Patrimonio, cayendo en la práctica del dumping social20,21.
La decisión del tipo y alcance de la intervención está limitada por una serie de condicio-
nantes como el contexto de la obra, los recursos económicos o la finalidad del tratamiento; estos
condicionantes marcarán la toma de decisiones al diseñar una propuesta de actuación coherente
con las condiciones de cada obra en un momento específico. Si en ese momento no se reúnen
las condiciones que aseguren unas actuaciones de conservación/restauración adecuadas, la op-
ción más sensata es esperar a que dichas condiciones sean favorables y emplear mientras tanto
los recursos en el estudio de la obra y su entorno, realizando únicamente labores preventivas.
1. Los objetivos del trabajo y los criterios a aplicar. En este apartado se explica hasta dónde se
pretende llegar con el tratamiento, así como las razones que nos hacen seleccionar dicho
tratamiento frente a las diferentes opciones existentes.
20
6th Conference of Ministers Responsible for Cultural Heritage (22-24 Abril 2015) NAMUR DECLARATION. Appendix: Guide-
lines for the European Cultural Heritage Strategy for the 21st Century: “Combatting social dumping where heritage-related
labour is concerned”.
21
Dumping social: Práctica competitiva desleal basada en la explotación de los trabajadores para conseguir unos bajos
costes laborales y ofrecer unos precios atractivos para los productos ofrecidos (Diccionario de términos económicos y
financieros, CaixaBank).
24
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
4. Especificación sobre la calidad del equipamiento y los materiales que se van a emplear,
la identidad y la cualificación del personal que va a intervenir, así como los métodos de
protección del entorno necesarios para la seguridad del personal y del lugar de trabajo.
25
5
Fases de actuación en conservación
y restauración
Fig. 11: Proceso de reintegración de piezas para el montaje del retablo mayor de Oteruelo,
perteneciente al Museo de La Rioja y restaurado por el IPCE en 2007. Foto: IPCE.
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
Las distintas fases del proceso de intervención no se llevan a cabo en todos los casos siguiendo
una secuencia lineal, los diferentes procesos pueden simultanearse por la propia dinámica del
trabajo, las características de cada bien cultural y su estado de conservación. En este documento
se presentan ordenados a título orientativo.
5.1. Limpieza
La escultura de madera, policromada o no, presenta un acabado superficial buscado por el artis-
ta para jugar con la diferente incidencia de la luz sobre los relieves de la talla. Esto implica em-
plear revestimientos y técnicas pictóricas cuya forma de aplicación es diferente al de la pintura.
La policromía juega con la textura para imitar materiales: carne, telas, metales, piedra, frente a la
pintura que representa la realidad mediante perspectiva sobre una misma superficie plana. Aun-
que los materiales sean los mismos, la forma de aplicarlos jugando con los efectos mate-brillo,
los tipos de pincelada, las decoraciones incisas, esgrafiadas o aplicadas establecen la diferencia,
puesto que las formas vienen definidas por el propio volumen escultórico22.
22
PHILIPPOT, Paul (1970): “Problemes esthetiques et archeologiques de conservation des esculptures”. Studies in Conserva-
tion, Volume 15, Issue Supplement-1 (June 1970), pp. 59-62.
23
Integridad: Cualidad de íntegro –que no carece de ninguna de sus partes (RAE)–. Cuando hablamos de la Integridad ma-
terial del objeto realizamos el juicio de si los elementos que presenta deben o no estar allí.
27
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
–– Son capaces de generar un daño. Por ejemplo, las acumulaciones de polvo y suciedad
ambiental alteran la composición química de algunos pigmentos desprotegidos, las acu-
mulaciones de tierra atraen plagas y humedad, y en algunas ocasiones un grosor excesivo
en los repintes ocasiona el desprendimiento de capas de policromía.
A lo largo de los años, las esculturas van acumulando sobre su superficie sustancias que pueden
ser, o no, fruto de una determinada intencionalidad, pero que siempre formarán parte de su
historia y podrían ser aportaciones protegidas por ley24. En la decisión de su eliminación debe
prevalecer siempre el sentido común. Desde limpiar el polvo hasta eliminar repintes o re-poli-
cromías, las decisiones han de tomarse tras un profundo estudio tanto de la sustancia a eliminar
como de la posibilidad de hacerlo sin dañar la obra original.
–– La suciedad25 no es una parte informativa de la vida del objeto, y por ello es difícil que
su eliminación esté sometida a juicio.
–– Las acumulaciones por uso. Cuando la suciedad se relaciona con el uso del objeto (cera, humo
de velas), existe una actitud crítica a la hora de decidir la preservación o no de esta información,
y si es crucial para comprender la función de la escultura dentro del contexto expositivo.
–– Repintes y retoques26. Este término se emplea para designar una capa de policromía
cuya intención única es ocultar un daño. Imita el color original de la base y puede ex-
tenderse a toda el área del color (repinte), o solo afectar a una zona dañada (retoque). Su
eliminación, o no, se vincula al hecho de ser tratamientos de restauración anteriores, como
la adición de barnices, que no pertenecen al objeto original ni aportan a su historia más
que el hecho de que en una o varias ocasiones estuvieron sujetos a intervención. La deci-
sión depende de la distorsión cromática que supongan y de la posibilidad de eliminación
de los mismos sin dañar o alterar la superficie subyacente.
24 “
Las restauraciones de los bienes a que se refiere el presente artículo respetarán las aportaciones de todas las épocas
existentes. La eliminación de alguna de ellas sólo se autorizará con carácter excepcional y siempre que los elementos
que traten de suprimirse supongan una evidente degradación del bien y su eliminación fuere necesaria para permitir una
mejor interpretación histórica del mismo. Las partes suprimidas quedarán debidamente documentadas”. Art. 39. Párrafo 3.
Ley 16/1985, de 25 de junio, del Patrimonio Histórico Español (BOE de 29 de junio de 1985).
25
Entendiendo como tal polvo, grasa u otras acumulaciones no intencionadas.
26
Repintes, retoques y repolicromías son términos definidos en la documentación generada durante las reuniones del Grupo
Latino de Escultura Policromada en los años 90.
28
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
Fig. 12: Proceso de limpieza de suciedad superficial, dejando a la vista una repolicromía al óleo, de la escultura Magdalena
Penitente, de Pedro de Mena, procedente del Museo Nacional del Prado y restaurada en el IPCE en 1994. Foto: José Puy. IPCE.
29
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
–– Las repolicromías. Las imágenes religiosas, usadas tradicionalmente en el culto, han sido
objeto de reparaciones y arreglos periódicos mediante el repolicromado y sobredorado
de la superficie, que responden a las modas y al estilo de cada época concreta. Desde los
años 9027, las repolicromías se han reivindicado y defendido como aportaciones históricas
y su eliminación es cada vez más controvertida, en contra de las teorías aceptadas hasta
entonces, que entendían como falso todo aquello que no era la intención del artista en el
momento que realizó la escultura. Sin embargo, existen repolicromías cuya presencia se
puede llegar a cuestionar por diversos motivos, quizá subjetivos: son burdas, antiestéticas,
fuera de contexto, un trabajo reciente, etc. Las decisiones deben tomarse partiendo de
una investigación previa y en ellas debe prevalecer el sentido común. Frente a la duda es
preferible no proceder con el tratamiento.
Cuando se exhibe una escultura existe una decisión consciente del momento en su histo-
ria que se pretende mostrar y, en consenso con el propietario o responsable, se intentará
llegar a él en el proceso de restauración. Las dificultades que se plantean en la retirada de
un repinte o repolicromía, y el posible desgaste producido sobre el original28, pueden con-
vertir este objetivo consensuado en una especulación. Por ello, en los casos controvertidos
la actuación del conservador-restaurador debe estar avalada por análisis de laboratorio, la
propia experiencia y el total acuerdo de los propietarios o responsables de la obra.
Fig. 13: Varias fases del levantamiento de repolicromía sobre una escultura perteneciente al retablo de El Paular en
2004 (izquierda), y sobre la carnación del Ecce Homo de Gregorio Fernández (Catedral de Valladolid, tratada en el
IPCE en 1989). Fotos: IPCE.
27
Ruiz de Arcaute, Emilio (2009): Aportaciones a la teoría de la Restauración, ponencia presentada en el IV Congreso del
GEIIC, Cáceres, noviembre de 2009.
28
Los disolventes empleados para eliminar una capa de policromía pueden reblandecer las capas subyacentes, que pueden
estar desgastadas o en mal estado. Este deterioro primitivo es una de las razones por las que se aplicó en su día la repo-
licromía que pretendemos eliminar hoy.
30
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
Antes de iniciar las pruebas del tratamiento que se va realizar, es necesario delimitar la composi-
ción y superposición de capas de las diferentes áreas (Apdo. 4: Documentación). Las pruebas de
comportamiento frente a la limpieza se realizan sobre la propia obra29 mediante el método de
ensayos y catas, complementado con análisis y estudios físicos de laboratorio, en su caso. Se trata
de evaluar la eficacia del sistema de limpieza estableciendo previamente qué se pretende eliminar,
sobre qué superficie y con qué metodología. Los métodos, los procedimientos de aplicación y los
rangos de trabajo de cada uno de los parámetros implicados en la limpieza deben de ajustarse de
tal forma que las capas originales no sufran reblandecimiento, debilitamiento o daño mecánico.
Todos los métodos de limpieza son potencialmente más o menos abrasivos, por ello la
ventaja de realizar una limpieza debe compensar la exposición a este posible desgaste de la
obra. Los sistemas químicos por disolución pueden entrañar riesgos por la naturaleza porosa
de la escultura, puesto que la superficie tiende a absorber el producto y retenerlo. Los medios
mecánicos por su parte deben emplearse utilizando dispositivos de aumento para la visión que
facilitan una mayor precisión y evitar la posible microabrasión que no se aprecia a simple vista.
Un profesional debe conocer los riesgos de cada procedimiento para no cometer errores, nadie
mejor que él está en disposición de decidir el nivel de limpieza que es posible alcanzar con éxito
y cuándo es necesario redefinir el procedimiento e incluso pararlo.
El objetivo de la limpieza no es restituir el bien cultural a un teórico estado inicial. Ello puede
llevar a una limpieza excesiva, que es aquella que erosiona la superficie original, solubiliza sustancias
de su composición, o la deja desprotegida. Puede suceder de forma inadvertida por el interés de igua-
lar zonas con suciedad no homogénea, por la compleja morfología de las capas, o simplemente por
mala praxis o desconocimiento. Por lo tanto no se debe realizar una limpieza en los siguientes casos:
–– Suciedad, revestimientos o manchas absorbidas por la materia original, como puede pa-
sar en el caso de policromías mates o porosas.
29
La dimensión de las áreas de ensayo será reducida y su localización en zonas poco visibles.
30
Se consideran pátinas naturales aquellas transformaciones cromáticas del material, producidas por causas naturales que
aportan la huella del paso del tiempo, y pátinas artificiales aquellas capas aplicadas intencionadamente en el pasado, con
fines protectores o estéticos... Criterios de intervención en materiales pétreos. Revista Bienes Culturales n.º 3. IPHE, 2003.
31
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
Si se decide no limpiar o eliminar una capa, es necesario dejar bien claras las razones
(sean por el deseo de conservar la capa o por la insuficiencia de medios para asumir el trabajo
sin riesgo para la obra) para informar y advertir a un futuro conservador-restaurador, al que
probablemente se le pida una segunda opinión.
–– Métodos acuosos
Se basan en el uso del agua como medio para la eliminación de la suciedad. En presencia
de capas solubles debe tenerse especial cuidado ya que existe un elevado riesgo de que
éstas se movilicen debido al aporte de humedad. El agua rara vez se emplea sola en el
caso de superficies pictóricas, se suelen añadir tensoactivos (o surfactantes) y reactivos
químicos que modifican la acidez y la conductividad de la solución. En este caso, el aporte
de agua al sistema aumenta con las operaciones de aclarado o neutralizado.
–– Empleo de disolventes
–– Métodos mecánicos
Utilizan la energía mecánica para retirar los depósitos superficiales y los elementos ajenos
al bien cultural. Hay varios sistemas que pueden emplear herramientas manuales, goma
de borrar e incluso lápiz de ultrasonidos. Estos métodos pueden utilizarse en combinación
con los acuosos y los químicos.
31
Triángulo de solubilidad TEAS, Test de Feller, Tabla del IRPA.
32
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
Fig. 14: Cajonería de la sacristía de la catedral de Murcia. Limpieza de la superficie con disolventes. Foto: IPCE.
32
–– Método láser
32
UNE 41806-4 IN Técnicas de limpieza con láser.
33
Energía por unidad de superficie.
34
Los que habitualmente se utilizan para la limpieza de madera y materiales pictóricos son láseres pulsados que emiten en
la longitud de onda fundamental de 1064 nm (infrarrojo), siendo algunos equipos capaces de generar su segundo armónico
de 532 nm (verde), tercero de 355 nm (ultravioleta onda larga) y cuarto de 266 nm (ultravioleta de onda corta). La interac-
ción láser-materia vendrá definida por la longitud de onda, la duración del pulso y la fluencia.
33
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
Fig. 15: Aplicación de láser Nd:YAG de 1064 Nm en la limpieza de la costra superficial de la madera de la sillería del coro
de la catedral de Plasencia. Arriba, pruebas de diferentes parámetros de potencia y frecuencia de disparo. Fotos: Laura
Ceballos, IPCE.
34
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
Una alteración de origen biológico puede llegar a ser una emergencia, surgida como conse-
cuencia de la falta de labores de mantenimiento en el entorno del bien. Por tradición, se han aplicado
indiscriminadamente tratamientos con productos químicos sin una evaluación del alcance y repercu-
sión de los mismos, tanto desde el punto de vista de sus efectos sobre la obra y el ambiente donde se
aplican como de su incidencia en la seguridad y salud de las personas. Admitiendo que la presencia
de plagas domésticas es universal, sólo debemos desarrollar estas herramientas de evaluación para
determinar cuál es el nivel de presencia y actividad tolerables en cada caso particular. En consecuen-
cia, se diseñarán las acciones razonables que mantengan estas plagas a ese nivel de tal forma que
no se arriesgue innecesariamente la integridad de las obras, la salud de las personas y el entorno.
Se refiere a las actuaciones preventivas que se deben realizar en el recinto que conserva los bienes
culturales. Es necesario fomentar la cultura preventiva en los lugares donde se reconoce el riesgo
de ataque biológico, como en los edificios históricos, museos con colecciones de naturaleza or-
gánica, las zonas con humedad relativa alta, y todos aquellos lugares con poca vigilancia, como
los almacenes, donde las plagas podrían proliferar al no ser molestadas por la presencia humana.
–– Aislamiento: Los edificios deben estar correctamente aislados del exterior, tanto para evitar
la entrada de humedades como de insectos.
–– Ventilación: Las estructuras de madera y las mismas esculturas deben estar ventiladas para
evitar las condensaciones de humedad, y aisladas de la fábrica del edificio (suelos y mu-
ros), para evitar la absorción de humedad procedente de éstos.
35
Se entiende como agentes causantes de biodeterioro los microorganismos, insectos, aves y mamíferos. Para no exten-
dernos en este apartado, desarrollaremos con preferencia las medidas de actuación contra los agentes que tienen una
incidencia mayor en la alteración del soporte de madera, como es el caso de los insectos.
35
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
Una vez reconocida la presencia de plagas, es necesario evaluar la naturaleza, actividad y exten-
sión de la misma. A grandes rasgos36, las principales amenazas para las colecciones de madera
en la península ibérica son los insectos de ciclo larvario, que colonizan el objeto, y los insectos
sociales, o termitas subterráneas, cuya colonia puede permanecer fuera del mismo. El enfoque
de su tratamiento es muy diferente y, en ambos casos, se hace necesaria la participación de per-
sonal especializado para realizar las correspondientes medidas de control y tratamientos.
El tratamiento de insectos de ciclo larvario requiere el tratamiento del propio objeto. Se reco-
mienda el tratamiento mediante gases inertes, dentro de bolsa hermética de plástico de barrera,
para la erradicación de los mismos cuando el entorno de la obra está controlado, y se pueda
evitar la re-infestación. La fuente del gas inerte (nitrógeno) debe estar siempre acoplada a un
sistema de humectación regulable para que la sequedad del gas no altere el equilibrio de hu-
medad de la madera durante el tratamiento. Por ello las condiciones higrométricas en el interior
de la bolsa deben estar monitorizadas en todo momento. Este tratamiento puede extenderse
en el tiempo de 2 a 8 semanas en función del tamaño de la obra, la resistencia del insecto, las
características estructurales y componentes del material infectado, y las condiciones climáticas
del entorno de tratamiento37.
Fig. 16: Desinsectación con nitrógeno de la escultura de La Dolorosa, de Pedro de Mena (monasterio de San Joaquín y Santa
Ana de Valladolid). Foto: Laura Ceballos, IPCE.
36
Excluyendo los daños que puedan causar otras especies (microorganismos, aves y mamíferos).
37
VALENTÍN, Nieves: “Biodeterioro. Infestaciones y su erradicación”. En Retablos. Revista Bienes Culturales n.º 2: 175 186 (2003).
36
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
Control químico
En caso de entornos poco o nada controlados se han utilizado tradicionalmente biocidas38, consi-
derados adecuados como método para solucionar tanto problemas puntuales como para prevenir
problemas futuros. Los biocidas en forma líquida aplicados por inyección o pincelado llevan apa-
rejados riesgos no sólo por su toxicidad para las personas, sino por la manera de utilizarlos sobre
las obras. Hoy en día la aplicación de productos biocidas está sujeta a regulación39, y se exige un
nivel de conocimiento40 para su uso que hasta ahora había sido inexistente. La obra también debe
protegerse, para evitar que el producto cambie su aspecto o afecte a la policromía. Por ello el
tratamiento debe ser probado y realizado siempre bajo la dirección del conservador-restaurador,
aunque no sea éste el que realice directamente la operación de aplicación del plaguicida.
Tratamiento de termitas
38
Biocida: toda sustancia o mezcla, en la forma en que se suministra al usuario, que esté compuesto por, o genere, una o
más sustancias activas, con la finalidad de destruir, contrarrestar o neutralizar cualquier organismo nocivo, o de impedir
su acción o ejercer sobre él un efecto de control de otro tipo, por cualquier medio que no sea una mera acción física o
mecánica (Definición según el Reglamento de Productos Biocidas (UE) n.º 528/2012).
39
El Reglamento de productos biocidas (RPB, Reglamento (UE) n.º 528/2012) regula la comercialización y el uso de los
productos biocidas.
40
El Real Decreto 830/2010 establece la normativa reguladora de la capacitación para realizar tratamientos con biocidas.
41
http://ipce.mcu.es/pdfs/ProtocoloTermitas.pdf
http://ipce.mcu.es/pdfs/Conclusiones_Plagas.pdf
37
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
Fig 17: Termitas en la madera de la estructura de los retablos de la iglesia de San Andrés en Rasines (Cantabria) localizadas
durante el desmontaje. Foto: IPCE.
42
Se consideran estructuras escultóricas aquellas obras de madera con decoración tallada como retablos, baldaquinos,
sillerías de coro, cajas de órgano, cajonerías, púlpitos y demás muebles litúrgicos de madera tallada ya sea policromada,
barnizada o acabada al natural. Estas estructuras han sido construidas para ocupar un espacio concreto y fijo dentro de un
edificio, pese a lo cual se denominan como “bienes muebles” a la hora de ser catalogadas.
38
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
Fig. 18: Secuencias de la clasificación de piezas y montaje de retablos en el proyecto de conservación y recuperación de los
retablos de la colección del Museo de La Rioja en 2008 por el IPCE. Fotos: IPCE.
–– Traslado por reubicación arbitraria, o por solicitud de piezas o partes del mismo para ex-
posiciones temporales.
–– Desmontajes que exijan el sacrificio de partes originales, sea soporte de madera o su policromía.
39
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
Las piezas desmontadas se apoyarán siempre sobre superficies acolchadas y se empleará material
de embalaje neutro con calidad de conservación. Se empleará un sistema de siglado mediante etiquetas
que no dañen la superficie de la madera o policromía, con unión mecánica sin adhesivos o clavos. Cada
pieza original llevará sus coordenadas de localización exactas, de acuerdo a un plano elaborado a esca-
la. Se realizará el acopio y etiquetado de los fragmentos desubicados que se obtengan tras la limpieza
de los escombros y suciedad, con su localización aproximada para ayudar a su posible recolocación.
Tras el desmontaje se efectuarán las obras de limpieza y adecuación del entorno, por ejemplo:
–– Sanear las juntas de los muros en mal estado, realizar los tratamientos específicos de pin-
turas murales, etc.
–– Limpiar, nivelar y aislar el pavimento o en su caso el banco de fábrica con materiales es-
pecíficos (chapa metálica, espumas de polietileno, barreras anti insectos, etc.) que eviten
la ascensión capilar de la humedad y dificulten la entrada de insectos a la estructura.
–– Retirar, reubicar o cambiar las instalaciones eléctricas o de otra índole que hayan quedado obsoletas.
En todos los casos en que sea posible, se respetarán los sistemas de anclaje originales, pero
en determinadas circunstancias43 puede contemplarse el desplazar el retablo o la estructura a una
cierta distancia del muro, para permitir su ventilación y la inspección del reverso. En los grandes
retablos donde exista distancia suficiente con el muro, se deben instalar pasarelas transitables en
ese espacio posterior que faciliten el acceso con seguridad a todos los puntos de su altura.
Fig. 19: Diferentes fases en el montaje de las piezas del Retablo Mayor de Rasines (aproximadamente 10 x 14 metros),
mediante la unión y adaptación de los elementos barrocos con carpintería tradicional. Fotos: IPCE.
43
Por ejemplo, un contacto directo con un muro húmedo que esté ocasionando problemas de filtración de humedad, un
montaje no original sin distancia con el muro, etc.
40
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
En general, al emplear madera no se diseña una nueva estructura, sino que se reconstruye
el sistema original perdido con madera nueva para que la estructura vuelva a funcionar, más o
menos, como se concibió en un principio, intentando no añadir elementos superfluos o sólo
aquellos necesarios para asegurar la estructura. Esta opción exige la contratación de un oficial
de carpintería y ebanistería, especialista en conservación, que conozca y domine la ejecución
de ensambles y sistemas constructivos en retablos y carpintería histórica. También requiere la
instalación de un taller de carpintería con maquinaria especializada dentro del edificio durante
los trabajos. La madera, como elemento estructural, presenta muchas ventajas al ser un material
visualmente atractivo, resistente, compatible y adaptable de forma natural a la estructura original.
Pero se debe seleccionar madera de calidad, curada y protegida contra insectos, bien por ser una
especie de madera resistente a ellos, por emplearse madera laminada, o por su impregnación
previa en autoclave44. Los cortes realizados sobre madera protegida en autoclave deben impreg-
narse de nuevo con un protector líquido contra xilófagos.
44
Madera certificada con tratamiento en autoclave por el sistema de doble vacío y pulverización con Corpol PF3, hasta un
nivel riesgo III.
45
PARET, J.: Resultats de l’aplicació d’una nova modalitat déstructura metàl.lica per al muntatge de retaules. En Rescat .But-
lletí del Servei de Restauració de Béns Mobles de la Generalitat de Catalunya. n.º 10, julio 2001.
PARET, J.: Modalitat d’estructura metàl.lica per al muntatge de retaules (II): Estructura modular d’alumini anoditzat per al
muntatge del retaule de Santa María Magdalena, del Monestir de Santes Creus. Rescat. Butlletí del Servei de Restauració
de Béns Mobles de la Generalitat de Catalunya. n.º 11, mayo 2002.
41
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
Fig. 20: Detalles de la estructura modular de retén, desarrollada para el retablo de la Piedad, La Seu d´Urgell. Fotos: Archivo CRBMC.
42
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
–– Los acabados de superficie, como las policromías o barnizados, que pueden alterarse
en contacto con los disolventes y resinas empleados en la formulación de los conso-
lidantes, por ello la aplicación debe realizarse de forma puntual, mediante pincelado,
inyección o goteo.
–– Las estructuras fijas, que no pueden ser transportadas, no permiten el acceso a las zonas
deterioradas, dificultando el procedimiento y exigiendo en muchos casos su desmontaje.
43
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
Muchas de las sustancias que se han empleado en la consolidación de los bienes culturales
en madera, tienen su origen en los métodos industriales empleados en estructuras arquitectóni-
cas o embarcaciones46. Por muchas razones (cambio de color, irreversibilidad y degradación de
los componentes a corto plazo), estas sustancias no se deben emplear sobre bienes muebles,
donde la condición, uso y destino final del objeto requiere una metodología que respete las cua-
lidades de estabilidad y re-tratabilidad47. La recuperación de una adecuada resistencia de carga
en un objeto cultural no necesariamente significa una restauración de las calidades estructurales
originales, en muchos casos sobredimensionadas, sino una devolución de fuerza suficiente para
el uso responsable de ese objeto. La aplicación no debe hacerse de forma indiscriminada, sino
ajustarse al principio de la mínima intervención, reduciéndose a aquellos elementos o zonas que
por su estado de alteración lo requieran.
Para los cosidos se recomiendan las espigas de madera, varillas de bambú o incluso fibra
de vidrio, variando su sección y longitud en función de la magnitud y posición de los fragmentos
a unir. En cada caso se decidirá la metodología de aplicación en función de las características
del bien cultural, siendo correcto el uso de sistemas de carpintería tradicional mediante ensam-
bles de lazos o toledanas. En el caso de piezas de mayor tamaño, con necesidad de ensamblajes
complejos, se debe estudiar previamente su diseño y la dirección de la veta de la madera para
evitar tensiones en el futuro por el comportamiento anisotrópico de la misma.
46
Las resinas epoxídicas fluidas se han venido empleando desde 1970 (SCHAFFER, E., 1971; MUNNIKENDAM, R. A., 1972 ;
BARCLAY, R., 1981) en estructuras de madera y también en morteros de reintegración, mezcladas con serrín (Arriaga Marti-
tegui, 1986). Actualmente se realiza la consolidación de estructuras arquitectónicas de madera con resinas epoxídicas de
dos componentes, tipo EPO® o Araldit®, en formulaciones de baja viscosidad.
47
Las soluciones acrílicas de Paraloid B72 en disolventes orgánicos como acetona, etanol, tolueno y xileno (PHENIX, A. 1992)
tienen un dilatado uso para este fin desde 1970 (E. DE WITTE y otros, 1980).
48
CEBALLOS, L. (2013): Sistemas de consolidación de retablos colonizados por termitas en la iglesia de San Andrés (Rasines,
Cantabria). En Informes y trabajos 10. IPCE, 2013, Para este efecto se han empleado cargas de microesfera hueca de vidrio mez-
cladas con soluciones de resina acrílica Paralloid B72. La concentración y viscosidad de las mezclas se ensaya previamente.
44
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
Fig. 22: Proceso de unión mecánica con espigas del brazo de la escultura Magdalena Penitente, de Pedro de Mena,
procedente del Museo Nacional del Prado. Procedimiento realizado en el IPCE en 1994. Foto: IPCE.
45
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
46
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
La separación de capas de policromía del soporte se considera una patología grave en escul-
tura policromada y su tratamiento una prioridad, pues una pieza con policromía desprendida
no puede manipularse con seguridad y es un deterioro progresivo que puede causar un daño
visible, irreversible y de costosa restauración. Las causas y los tipos de desprendimiento son di-
versos, dependiendo de la naturaleza del soporte, la técnica de ejecución de la policromía y del
ambiente donde se conserva la obra.
La selección del material para la fijación, así como la metodología de tratamiento también
dependen de varios factores que se interrelacionan entre sí: los objetivos de la fijación49, la
naturaleza y el estado de conservación de la policromía50 y el ambiente donde la escultura se
conservará en el futuro.
–– La necesidad o no del empleo de una interfaz de protección con papel japonés, tela no
tejida o gasa, y la facilidad de su retirada posterior.
49
Ya se trate de una fijación temporal, de emergencia, o de una fijación completa en la restauración.
50
Existen metodologías diferentes para dorados al agua, dorados al mixtión, policromía al óleo, policromía al temple mate, al
temple granuloso, decoración de relieve aplicada, policromías de laca oriental, etc.
47
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
Fig. 24: Procedimiento de fijación de policromía levantada en piezas de los retablos del Museo de La Rioja en 2008, mediante
el uso controlado de cola animal, presión y calor. Foto: IPCE.
48
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
Toda decisión de reintegrar una obra debe tener en cuenta los riesgos que entraña esta
operación:
–– Lesiones por desgaste y daños mecánicos en las zonas de contacto de la obra original con
la parte reintegrada durante y después del proceso de reintegración.
–– Cambio de las propiedades químicas y físicas del material nuevo aportado (encogimiento
de masillas, cambio de color en reintegraciones cromáticas, etc.).
La reconstrucción del volumen perdido en las esculturas puede alcanzar diferentes niveles de
acabado o adición que, a grandes rasgos, se pueden definir como:
Nivel 1: Reintegrar sólo los elementos repetitivos o los elementos desaparecidos de los
que existe constancia por documentación gráfica o fotográfica. Es el sistema que se ha aceptado
comúnmente en conservación de patrimonio a través de las Cartas y Acuerdos Internacionales
donde se propone que la restauración debe detenerse allí donde comienzan las hipótesis51. A
este principio se suma el de la discernibilidad de la zona reintegrada, que también contempla
la Ley de Patrimonio Histórico español52. Dentro de un marco de respeto a la autenticidad de la
obra, se permite la reintegración de elementos de talla seriados de un retablo o de cualquier otra
estructura de madera, en donde la ruptura de las líneas compositivas de la decoración distorsio-
nan la apreciación del conjunto. En escultura figurativa sólo se permite la reproducción de los
elementos de los que se tienen datos a través de documentación gráfica o fotográfica.
51
Art. 9 de la Carta de Venecia (1964).
52
“... Si se añadiesen materiales o partes indispensables para su estabilidad o mantenimiento, las adiciones deberán ser
reconocibles y evitar las confusiones miméticas”. Art. 39. Párrafo 2. Ley 16/1985, de 25 de junio, del Patrimonio Histórico
Español (BOE de 29 de junio de 1985).
53
Brandi, C.: La función figurativa se basa en su esencia como obra de arte, esto es, única e irrepetible. Tiene una doble
polaridad, estética (subjetiva) e histórica (apreciación para un determinado público).
49
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
formal que trascienda su propia autenticidad o valor histórico. Se trata de las actuaciones más contro-
vertidas en escultura, puesto que toda obra de arte posee una determinada autoría e intencionalidad,
cuya esencia entra en conflicto con la interpretación que de la obra hace un nuevo escultor.
54
Carta del Patrimonio de Semana Santa. Promovida por don Andrés Álvarez Vicente, presidente de la Junta de Cofradías
de Semana Santa de Valladolid en 2010, y firmada por sus homólogas en otras ciudades del país.
50
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
Según Philippot (1990), “mientras que una laguna se presente en la policromía de una escultura,
por poco que la forma original sea conservada, esta laguna es relativa y no total como en la pin-
tura”55. Esto hace que en muchos casos la reintegración cromática, de naturaleza pictórica, no se
haga necesaria, evitando los riesgos de abrasión de los bordes de la laguna durante las diferentes
operaciones del trabajo. En este caso hay también una escala de intensidad o adición depen-
diendo de las motivaciones subjetivas planteadas en los diferentes contextos de presentación:
Nivel 0: No reintegrar nada, excepto si es necesario sujetar o sellar el borde de una laguna
que por accidente pudiera engancharse en una manipulación. La obra presenta la policromía ori-
ginal en estado fragmentario, y la base de la laguna es el propio color de la madera del soporte.
Es el criterio que pone en valor las obras más antiguas.
–– Matizar contrastes llamativos entre el color oscuro de la madera y el color claro de la po-
licromía, para restar protagonismo a la laguna.
El método y los materiales de retoque se diseñarán en función del color y la textura cir-
cundante, y existe todo un abanico de posibilidades desde el empleo de pincel, estilógrafo o
incluso aerógrafo para lograr superficies que pasen desapercibidas a una distancia de visión
determinada en función del tamaño del objeto. La aplicación discernible, mediante puntos o ra-
yado, exige una ejecución rigurosa a la vez que sutil. La reintegración cromática tiene tendencia
a virar de color, más o menos, con el paso del tiempo, por lo que deben seleccionarse pigmentos
sólidos a la luz, aglutinantes que no amarilleen y, en general, materiales que puedan retirarse
con facilidad, durante el trabajo o en el futuro, con métodos que no alteren el material original.
55
PHILIPPOT, Paul, “Problèmes esthétiques et archéologiques de conservation des sculptures”. En Conservation of Stone
and Wooden Objects. Preprints of the New-York Conference, June 7-13, 1970, IIC, 1970, 2nd part, pp. 59-62.
51
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
la reintegración de estilo, se persigue un cambio en la percepción del objeto antiguo por otro
renovado, pero en este caso a través de aplicaciones de pintura o láminas metálicas (redorado)
sobre la obra original, sacrificando ésta en muchos casos. Este ha sido el sistema de restauración
tradicional de escultura hasta el siglo xix y bien entrado el xx. Desde un punto de vista ético, este
tipo de esculturas no debe presentarse en exposición como obra original, pues la policromía ha
sido cambiada por otro autor. Desde el punto de vista de conservación material, existe el riesgo
razonable de que los materiales de restauración aplicados provoquen futuros fenómenos de
alteración en la obra, como levantamientos y cambios cromáticos.
–– Potenciar las calidades cromáticas (tono y brillo) disminuidas o modificadas por la acción
del envejecimiento de los componentes de la capa pictórica, por la microabrasión de la
superficie, o por un efecto óptico tras una limpieza con disolventes. Esto se debe a que
los barnices tienen la propiedad de saturar los colores.
56
Deben tener un comportamiento comprobado en cuanto a estabilidad a la radiación ultravioleta y otros agentes atmosféricos.
No deben producir residuos capaces de dañar los materiales originales o formar sustancias nocivas al envejecer. Tradicional-
mente se han venido utilizando resinas naturales como el dammar, y sintéticas como las acrílicas, cetónicas y alifáticas.
52
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
–– Estabilizante o antioxidante a base de aminas impedidas tipo HALS, que limite la acción
de radicales libres en la resina, retrasando así su envejecimiento y los fenómenos de entre-
cruzamiento que podrían provocar su insolubilidad a largo plazo (opcional). Por ejemplo
Tinuvin® 292.
–– Aditivos para cambiar sus propiedades de brillo (opcional): por ejemplo, cera microcris-
talina.
–– Aditivos que sirven de plastificantes para modificar su rigidez y hacer más flexible la
película formada (opcional): por ejemplo, polímeros tipo Kraton® G1650, o Special Gum
G1650.
–– Grado de fluidez que permita un acabado uniforme con brocha plana, o en su caso me-
diante pulverizado.
–– Secado suficientemente rápido para evitar que atrape polvo durante su estado “mordien-
te”. La cualidad pegajosa de una superficie barnizada en escultura es un inconveniente
importante, puesto que tiene mayor probabilidad de atrapar el polvo en las superficies
horizontales, e impide su manipulación en los traslados. Este problema también puede
surgir por el uso de resinas alifáticas de bajo peso molecular y baja temperatura de tran-
sición vítrea57, por lo que es necesario realizar verificaciones de comportamiento de estos
materiales.
Previamente a la aplicación, la superficie debe estar seca, bien consolidada, limpia y libre
de residuos de tratamientos anteriores. La aplicación se realizará en lugar limpio y seco, en con-
diciones adecuadas de seguridad y salud.
57
PIENA, H. (2001), en Regalrez in Furniture Conservation (JAIC 2001, Vol. 40, Number 1; pp.59-68) ha estudiado este fenómeno
de reblandecimiento con la resina Regalrez® 1094 para el revestimiento de muebles, donde se marcaban huellas en superficie
por el simple calor de la mano. El autor recomienda como alternativa el uso de Regalrez® 1126, de idéntica composición y ca-
racterísticas muy similares, pero de un peso molecular y temperatura de transición vítrea mayor que evita estos inconvenientes.
53
6
Recomendaciones
de conservación preventiva
tras el tratamiento
Hoy en día tenemos mucha más información de cómo se suceden los procesos de deterioro, de
cuáles son los elementos que ponen en riesgo las esculturas y cuáles son las estrategias para
alargar la vida de las mismas. La conservación preventiva es un conjunto de protocolos y activi-
dades, que mediante la formulación e implementación de normas y procedimientos, tiene como
finalidad la reducción de los daños que puedan producirse favoreciendo:
–– En el caso de obras adaptadas a entornos con alta humedad relativa, se señalará el peligro
de su cesión a exposiciones temporales donde, por condiciones inferiores de humedad, la
obra pueda dañarse de forma irreversible.
–– Se revisarán los sistemas de iluminación, se indicarán las soluciones para evitar la inciden-
cia de luz solar directa o fuentes de luz artificial que emitan calor cerca de la obra. Tam-
bién se recomendará la retirada de instalaciones eléctricas ocultas tras retablos o sillerías.
58
Es razonable hacerlo cada seis meses tras un tratamiento de fijación en un entorno estable, aunque este periodo puede
reducirse, según la consideración del técnico tras el tratamiento.
55
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
Se verificarán los soportes y fijaciones a los muros de las obras expuestas, que serán de uso
sencillo y seguro, evitando el contacto directo de las obras con la fábrica del edificio. Nunca se
hacinarán esculturas ni en la exposición ni en el almacén, y si es necesario se harán soportes
específicos para piezas con riesgo de caída por su escasa estabilidad.
Fig. 27: Soportes horizontales específicos en espuma de polietileno para esculturas debilitadas por ataque de xilófagos.
Museo Arqueológico Provincial de Orense (MAPOUR). Foto: Laura Ceballos. IPCE.
Fig. 28: Barrera física en la base del retablo para prevenir los daños mecánicos que pueden ocasionarse por el tránsito de
personas alrededor del mismo durante su almacenamiento. Museo Arqueológico Provincial de Orense (MAPOUR). Foto: IPCE.
56
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
Si es necesario realizar una numeración o siglado sobre la pieza, se hará tras el tratamiento
y nunca sobre una superficie policromada, sino sobre el soporte de madera o, en su defecto,
mediante etiquetas colgantes.
Fig. 29: Construcción de una caja para el transporte de la escultura de San Francisco de Asís (Pedro de Mena, c. 1662).
Foto: Laura Ceballos, IPCE.
57
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
El uso ceremonial o de culto de las esculturas, así como de otros bienes de naturaleza escultórica
(mobiliario litúrgico, cajas de órgano, etc.) compromete la seguridad y la conservación de estos bie-
nes culturales, siendo las tallas policromadas la tipología de bien artístico y cultural más maltratado
(Aguilar Jiménez, J. A., 2011). Pero hay que considerar que la cultura y la tradición que rodea a estas
manifestaciones tienen también valor como patrimonio inmaterial, y no es siempre posible privar a
los fieles de un contacto directo con sus bienes más preciados. Por ello, es necesario compatibilizar
el desarrollo de estas actividades con la conservación de las obras, a través de soluciones técnicas
específicas diseñadas por el conservador-restaurador en consenso con los usuarios y responsables.
–– Los grandes mantos, las coronas, potencias, ráfagas y otros atributos que comporten un
peso importante sobre la imagen de procesión, no deben estar en ningún caso apoyados
directamente sobre la misma. En estos casos se deben plantear estructuras de sujeción
autoportantes, como polleros, que eviten a la obra el riesgo de fractura por tracción.
Fig. 30: Fases del montaje de un manto procesional sobre un pollero, o estructura interna diseñada para recibir su peso y
evitar la carga sobre la escultura. Manto de la Virgen del Socorro, Hermandad del Amor. Sevilla. Foto: José Manuel Santos
Madrid. Fondo gráfico del IAPH.
58
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
–– En el caso de imágenes de vestir, se deben adoptar soluciones ante el daño producido por
los elementos metálicos utilizados tradicionalmente para sujetar las telas. La colocación de
una barrera protectora de piel, fieltro o tejido confeccionada a medida sobre la escultura
servirá para proteger las áreas más expuestas a los alfileres. Es muy importante no forzar
los sistemas de articulación de las extremidades y procurar que mantengan su funcionali-
dad con medidas adoptadas por el especialista en conservación y restauración, evitando
reparaciones eventuales no profesionales. Cuando se sustituyen los candeleros en las
imágenes de vestir, se pueden realizar con un fácil acceso al interior y así permitir llevar
un control del estado de conservación, supervisar posibles plagas biológicas y facilitar el
mantenimiento de la imagen.
–– Se deben aislar los elementos metálicos o atributos de orfebrería (coronas, ráfagas, poten-
cias, halos, etc.), que entren en contacto con la escultura, para evitar su fricción sobre la
policromía. Esto puede hacerse con materiales de acolchado inertes, solos o en combina-
ción, como espuma de polietileno, tela de forro, fieltro, etc.
–– Las operaciones de traslado, manipulación, subidas y bajadas del paso, etc. deben estar
debidamente sistematizadas y mecanizadas de manera que se eviten al máximo los riesgos
de fracturas, caídas y accidentes fortuitos. Se deben emplear sistemas a base de ruedas
para los desplazamientos horizontales o poleas y plataformas hidráulicas para los despla-
zamientos verticales, adaptados a cada caso.
–– El almacenamiento de las piezas escultóricas debe hacerse bajo las directrices de un es-
pecialista en conservación, adaptando el lugar de almacenamiento a las condiciones de
temperatura, humedad, iluminación y seguridad más óptimas para los bienes de cara a
su conservación material. El empleo de vitrinas debidamente acondicionadas y la revisión
periódica de los bienes de la colección, evitará muchos problemas de conservación.
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Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
Fig. 31: Soporte para elementos iconográficos, realizado en metal dorado y sujeto al mismo tornillo de articulación de la
muñeca de una Virgen procesional de vestir. Piedad de las Angustias, Juan de Mesa. Foto: José Manuel Santos Madrid.
Fondo gráfico del IAPH.
En este documento debe consignarse con exactitud hasta dónde se puede llegar en los di-
ferentes casos: el tipo de tareas a realizar, el modo de hacerlas, los productos apropiados según
el caso, su periodicidad y la competencia de los técnicos para su ejecución.
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Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
–– Riesgos observados de siniestro: Sea éste su desaparición por robo, vandalismo o de-
sastres como incendio, terremoto, inundación o conflicto armado.
• Mejora en la defensa contra intrusión y custodia eficaz de las llaves de templos sin
vigilancia y cerrados al público.
• Contacto inmediato con un equipo de rescate profesional para piezas dañadas por
fuego o por agua.
59
Actividad sísmica en Lorca (Murcia), incendio y desaparición del retablo barroco de la iglesia de Muxía (Galicia), etc.
60
http://www.mecd.gob.es/cultura-mecd/dms/mecd/cultura-mecd/areas-cultura/museos/in/publicaciones/Guia_plan_protec-
cion_colecciones.pdf
61
7
Memoria
y difusión
del proyecto
La conservación-restauración del patrimonio debe concluir con una memoria donde quede re-
flejada toda la información generada durante la intervención, que se reunirá en un documento
donde se detallará:
63
GLOSARIO DE ALTERACIONES.
ESCULTURA EN MADERA1
1
El presente glosario incluye, únicamente, aquellos términos que refieren a indicadores visuales de alteración, es decir,
aquellas transformaciones que percibimos en los objetos y que suponen un deterioro en su apariencia o función respecto
a otro estado anterior. No se incluyen, por tanto, las posibles causas o agentes que ocasionan estas alteraciones, a excep-
ción del apartado dedicado a las Alteraciones de origen biológico, en el que, por razones prácticas se han incluido aque-
llos insectos y microorganismos causantes de las principales patologías presentes las obras realizadas en soporte madera
en la Península Ibérica. Asimismo, no se han contemplado términos como laguna, reintegración, pátina o repolicromía, por
no considerarse, en sí mismos, deterioros en obras escultóricas en madera. Su inclusión, sin embargo, sí se ha mantenido
y desarrollado a lo largo del texto de este proyecto.
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
Alabeo Warping
Termitas Termites
Hongos Fungi
2.1. ALTERACIONES CON DEFORMACIÓN, SEPARACIÓN 2.1. ALTERATIONS INVOLVING DEFORMATION, LAYER
DE ESTRATOS Y PÉRDIDA DE MATERIA SEPARATION AND MATERIAL LOSS
Abolsamiento Blister
Ampolla Bubble
Cazoleta Cupping
Cresta Tenting
Levantamiento Cleavage
Desprendimiento Lifting
65
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
Craquelado Crackle
Rayado Scratch
Acreción Accretion
Suciedad Dirt
Mancha Stain
Repinte Repainting
Lixiviación Leaching
Pulverulencia Chalking
66
Proyecto COREMANS Criterios de intervención en retablos y escultura policromada
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The COREMANS Project
Intervention criteria
for altarpieces and
polychrome sculpture
Catálogo de publicaciones del Ministerio: www.mecd.gob.es
Catálogo general de publicaciones oficiales: publicacionesoficiales.boe.es
Edición 2017
Scientific Coordination
Laura Ceballos Enríquez
Scientific Committee
Laura Ceballos Enríquez. Instituto del Patrimonio Cultural de España (IPCE)
María Francisca Sarrió Martín. Subdirección del Institut Valencià de Conservació i Restauració IVC+R CulturArts Generalitat.
María Teresa Real Palma. Instituto Andaluz del Patrimonio Histórico (IAPH)
Juan Carlos Martín García. Centro de Conservación y Restauración de Bienes Culturales de Castilla y León (CCRBC de C y L)
Josep Paret Pey. Centre de Restauració de Béns Mobles de Catalunya (CRBMC)
Beatriz Gonzalo Alconada. Instituto del Patrimonio Cultural de España (IPCE)
Publishing Coordination
Pablo Jiménez Díaz
Lorenzo Martín Sánchez
Photography
IPCE Archive
IAPH Graphic Archive
CRBMC Archive
By the authors
Fig. 1 (Front cover photography): The Archangel Gabriel at the Annunciation. Main altarpiece of the Priory Church of Santa María, Carmona,
province of Seville. Author: Juan Bautista Vázquez the Elder, c. 1560. Conservation and restoration performed by the Spanish Cultural Heritage
Institute (IPCE), 2009. Photograph: Antonio Ceruelo, IPCE.
NIPO: 030-17-057-1
Fig. 2: Image of the Buddha. Gilt laquered wood and glass eyes. Author: Anonymous,
probably Edo period (Japan 1603-1868) National Museum of Decorative Arts.
Currently in treatment at the IPCE. Photograph: Laura Ceballos, IPCE.
CONTENTS
Introduction
This document is a continuation of the COREMANS Project promoted by the Spanish Cultural
Heritage Institute (Instituto del Patrimonio Cultural de España, IPCE)1, the aim of which is to
propose and define a series of criteria and basic guidelines for interventions related to the con-
servation and restoration of works and objects forming a part of Spain’s cultural heritage and
whose support material is mainly carved and polychromed wood.
As a sculptural support material, wood has been considered relatively poor but very versa-
tile for creating works that can be embellished or imitate reality by means of polychromy. There
are also non-polychromed carved works in which the quality of the wood is highlighted without
the need for other finishes. The term polychrome sculpture encompasses other material supports
with very similar characteristics in regard to their use, such as fibrous materials (papelón or glued
paper and cloth) or papier-mâché, maize stalk paste, glued fabric), to which are attached postizo
elements such as human hair, glass eyes, horn nails and other expressive resources typical of the
Baroque period. Wood has been used to produce relief work, reliquaries, free standing works,
articulated pieces and mannequins. It has always been the subject of study in art history.
Polychrome sculpture has been the material base for the images venerated in Catholic
countries, and Spain, one of the leaders of the Counter-Reformation, possesses a very important
legacy, housed in museums and religious institutions, spanning the period between the Middle
Ages to the present day.
Given their composition and, more particularly, their use in images shown for veneration
on specific dates and displayed in pilgrimages and processions, the supports and surfaces of
polychromed wood sculptures are subject to exceptional deterioration.
Throughout history interventions have been carried out on them involving the addition of
layers of paint for the purpose of concealing damage and of updating their appearance. In many
cases the restorations have also affected the supports and frameworks of altarpieces of which
many of these carved images form a part, irreparably altering the form of the original work. The
professional practice of conservation and restoration of sculptures in centres and institutions
began in Spain in the middle of the twentieth century, at the time heir to a craft tradition which,
unfortunately, still endures in isolated or private contexts. At that time restoration methods and
techniques used in the field of painting were progressively adapting, although they were for
some time directed towards the reinstatement of artistic qualities and for religious use.
The development of methods of study and analysis applied to cultural property has brought
to light characteristics that have gone unnoticed until this time, such as the complexity of the
pictorial finishes and their evolution over time. The current objective of conservation is the pro-
tection of these historical markers, and to identify and impede the agents of deterioration, taking
into account the physical and social environment in which these properties are kept.
1
The book Intervention Criteria for Stone Materials was published in 2013. Sub-Directorate General of the Spanish Cultu-
ral Heritage Institute. Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport. https://sede.educacion.gob.es/publiventa/detalle.action?-
cod=14516C. The book Intervention Criteria for Metallic Materials was published in 2016. Sub-Directorate General of the
Spanish Cultural Heritage Institute. Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport. https://sede.educacion.gob.es/publiventa/pro-
yecto-coremans-criterios-de-intervencionen-materiales-metalicos/conservacion-restauracion/20501C
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The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
The last twenty years has seen a remarkable increase in the interventions made to al-
tarpieces and sculptures, whether by public administrations or by ecclesiastic authorities and
religious confraternities. Each of these settings has had its own particular form of taking on the
conservation of pieces, derived from the customs and traditions, and the different sensibilities
of each region of specific social group. The material complexity of polychrome sculpture and
altarpieces has brought about a multitude of treatment options and hindered the development
of standard criteria for the practice of conservation.
Owing to this diversity of approaches, the Spanish Cultural Heritage Institute and oth-
er institutions have organised courses, seminars and professional meetings to bring about an
exchange of ideas and information between professionals for the purpose of standardising
existing criteria. Despite these efforts, which have been very positive as far as knowledge on
sculpture and techniques are concerned, the pursued aim of standardisation is still very far from
being achieved. The conservation and restoration of polychrome sculpture and altarpieces have
not benefited from the advances in conservation to the same degree as other specialities have,
mainly due to, among others:
–– Polychromed wooden sculpture has traditionally been considered a lesser art form, one
that is much less studied with regard to easel painting and Classical Antiquity collections,
for which research is being developed with normality and the training of professionals is
a relatively long process. Its material history has therefore received worse treatment and
fewer resources have been devoted to research into procedures.
–– These are complex works for which different materials and craft techniques have been
used, and it is difficult to standardise their processes of deterioration and testing, and con-
servation procedures that enable quality standards to be implemented.
83
1
Regulatory
framework
The earliest internationally recognised documents that contain criteria for conservation and res-
toration are mainly directed towards actions to preserve monuments and immovable property
(Athens Charter, 1931; Venice Charter, 1964). Their principles can be applied to movable proper-
ty for the definition of such broad concepts as conservation and restoration, and they stand out
as being the first to introduce the value of research and multidisciplinarity as prerequisites for the
execution of a restoration project. The theory of restoration (Restoration Charters2), applicable to
all cultural property, would subsequently be developed in Italy thanks to the contributions made
by Cesare Brandi, Alois Riegl and other art historians. An entire philosophy or ethic would be
outlined with regard to interventions, the aim of which is to establish the correct action by pro-
fessionals in order not to endanger the integrity of properties. The following general principles
have gradually been introduced:
–– Definition of the integrity of the object, evaluating contributions from every period in the
history of the cultural property, including concern for the maintenance of patinas.
–– Concern for the restitution of the reading of the image by offering a critical interpretation
of the gap in knowledge, advocating legibility in the reintegration.
–– Use of reversible, stable materials that are compatible with the original, giving priority to
the use of traditional techniques, although with the possibility of using modern techniques
where their effectiveness is proven.
These criteria undergo constant review and updating; hence the professional guidelines
issued by the European Confederation of Conservator-Restorers’ Organisations (E.C.C.O., 2002)
state that conservator-restorers have a “professional responsibility to keep up to date with new
findings, and ensure that s/he practices her/his profession in line with current ethical thought”.
As the field of conservation and restoration develops, a better definition of criteria will be
necessary in the different fields, given that the practical application of general theoretical prin-
ciples may give rise to ambiguities and different interpretations. For this purpose, professional
meetings are being organised in increasingly more specialised working groups to give meaning
to these international agreements and to bring about their real application in specific treatments
on very different pieces in diverse contexts.
In this sense, specialists in the conservation of polychrome sculpture and altarpieces have
responded to the need for sharing and adapting these criteria to the field of sculpture, and to that
of disseminating knowledge in techniques and advances in conservation. These meetings have
shown the importance of acknowledging the relationship between the altarpiece and its physical
and cultural context, from which is derived the need to eradicate the factors for deterioration
originating in the architectural setting in which it is found prior to the intervention.
2
1932 Restoration Charter, the 1972 Italian Restoration Charter, the 1987 Charter for the Conservation and Restoration of
Artistic and Cultural Objects.
85
The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
The first meetings of specialists in the restoration of sculpture in Spain took into account
the experiences gained in Northern Europe (Belgium, Netherlands, Germany and Austria), which
offered a different view to the traditional craft approach predominant in Spanish-speaking coun-
tries, and laid the foundations for the knowledge on the conservation of sculpture that is cur-
rently accepted. The main meetings were:
1990. Establishment of the Latin Working Group of Polychrome Sculpture, the back-
ground for which was the section grouping the Latin countries (Spain, Portugal and Italy) in the
Working Group of Sculpture, Polychromy and Architectural Decorations of the ICOM Committee
for Conservation. This group debated and defined, for the first time, a glossary of terms, a design
of specifications for the study of polychrome motifs and technical reports models for the study
of sculpture and its conservation. Its works were never published as such, but its theoretical
contributions have partially been included in other publications.
2002 (March). Altarpieces: Studies, Project and Intervention. Course held by the
Spanish Cultural Heritage Institute at the Spanish Agency for International Development Coop-
eration in Cartagena, Colombia. There the Altarpiece Charter was drawn up, in which a number
of principles were defined in relation to policies for action, resource application and proposed
methodologies affecting the conservation of altarpieces.
2002 (May). The Andalusian Institute of Historical Heritage (IAPH) and the Getty Conser-
vation Institute organised the Altarpiece Workshop, in which the Document on Altarpieces was
drawn up, published as Methodology for the Conservation of Polychromed Wooden Altarpieces
(Getty-IAPH)3 and an illustrated glossary of terms was created, available online with notable
dissemination4.
2005. The Conservation of Altarpieces 7th Spring Meeting in Puerto de Santa María.
(12-14 April)
2009. Structures and Construction Systems for Altarpieces: Study and Conserva-
tion. Founding Symposium for the Working Group on Altarpieces of the GE-IIC Valencia, 25, 26
and 27 February.
3
Various Authors: Document on Altarpieces 2002, in Methodology for the Conservation of Polychromed Wooden Altarpiec-
es (published by Regional Government of Andalusia 2002).
4
http://www.gciresources.org/retablo/index2.php?id=1
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The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
The current aim is to draw up a reference document for the conservation of heritage as-
sets consisting of polychromed wooden sculpture, which will serve as a tool to facilitate quality
control in interventions. For this purpose, the documents drawn up in 2002 (Altarpiece Charter
of Cartagena and Document on Altarpieces) are a starting point, taking into account the charters
created by different international entities and producing a critical review of the large amount of
information, both published and unpublished, that has been compiled through the practice of
conservation in recent years.
Fig. 5: Historic facilities of the sculpture department in the Instituto Central de Conservación y Restauración (ICCR today´s
IPCE). At that time, c. 1970, it was temporally installed in the building of the America Museum in Madrid. Photograph: IPCE.
87
2
General
considerations
and
recommendations
As a general rule, altarpieces and sculptural groups are united to an architectural space that
also encompasses other elements: pulpits, mural paintings, altars, tombs, grilles, etc., which are
complementary to them. They also serve a social and religious purpose that confers added in-
tangible value to their aesthetic, technical and historical qualities. Without these qualities of com-
plementarity with the space and use, the asset would become decontextualized and lose part of
its value, aesthetic intention and religious sense. Any intervention should take into account and
respect these characteristics, despite the relationship with the physical and social environment
often being the source of any alterations.
This places pressure on our criterion regarding the processes of on-site stabilisation of al-
tarpieces and sculptures in order to make their environment and use compatible with their con-
servation. This compatibility is achieved by means of integral planning of actions in the building,
with the development of preventive conservation strategies in the environment, solving prob-
lems related to the stability and watertightness of the building and by means of the dissemination
of the conservation activities that are carried out through programmes for social awareness and
involvement in the conservation of cultural heritage.
Treatments should be designed specifically for the problem to be dealt with, after a prior
study and diagnostic examination that bring about a reasonable proposal for intervention based
on the climatic characteristics of the environment and on available resources. A sculpture, a
sculptural group or an altarpiece is considered a single entity in structure, support and form.
Therefore, all the decorative and structural elements must be treated with the same level of
respect and meticulousness, avoiding the replacement of original parts, even where these are
secondary support elements5.
The quality of interventions should be assured through the quality control and monitoring
systems considered most appropriate in each case, both during processes and also in the treat-
ments and materials used6. For this purpose, technical teams are to comprise skilled personnel
with officially recognised specialist qualifications, with competence in each of the areas related
to the different stages of the process. Works are to be managed with transparency by profes-
sionals with a solid reputation and monitored by the institutions responsible for the intervention.
The materials and techniques employed should be compatible with the cultural property,
with the recommended use of traditional systems or new systems7 provided that they are scien-
tifically contrasted and fulfil the retreatability criterion8.
5
ICOMOS: Principles for the Preservation of Historic Timber Structures (1999).
6
Any intervention proposal should be accompanied by a quality control programme which should, as far as possible, be
implemented while the work is being carried out. Corrective and Control Measures for the Principles for the Analysis, Con-
servation and Structural Restoration of Architectural Heritage, ICOMOS, Zimbabwe (2003).
7
Any new materials and technologies should be rigorously tested, compared and understood before application. Principles
for the Conservation and Restoration of Built Heritage, UNESCO, Krakow (2000).
8
Any effort to restore an object or its surroundings (...) must be carried out using materials and methods that render future
conservation and restoration work possible. 1987 Charter for the Conservation and Restoration of Cultural and Art Objects
(replacing the Italian Restoration Charter of 1972).
89
3
Documentation,
research
and diagnosis
Studies have a marked interdisciplinary nature and are conducted both prior to and throughout
the action, for a dual purpose: firstly, to understand the logic of the sculptural work, its material,
how it was made, its history and how this influences the decay processes that mark its condi-
tion; and to know and research the cultural property, understood as a unique document through
which the events that have taken place over time can be read, and the knowledge of the history
of art and the cultural manifestations in which the asset is placed can be improved.
–– Legal framework, reference regulations and use of the object in the present. The
legal situation affecting the object must be clear from the start. The study of ownership,
use and management of the object in the present is important in order to define the guide-
lines that will determine the conservation project, sustainable preventive conservation
protocol and future monitoring of the object.
–– Graphic and metric documentation Graphic tools explain with greater clarity than a
narrative analysis the material shape and positioning of the elements of a sculptural work.
The object and its technology must be defined at scale by the corresponding plans, ele-
vations, sections and sketches of its constructive elements. In the case of complex wood-
en structures (series of altarpieces, liturgical furniture, etc.) digital photogrammetry and
orthophotography are recommended. Thus, a measured and depicted object becomes an
interpreted and understood object.
–– Study and analysis of historical documentation. In all of its aspects and diversity
of sources: documentary (historical documents, church account books, drawings, etc.),
epigraphic, photographic, etc. In any case, the analysis of this documentation should not
be restricted to the initial stages of an intervention, but it should continue throughout the
process. This is because findings or discoveries may arise during the restoration treatments
that may contradict the initial hypotheses or open new lines of study.
–– Preliminary inspection report. The preliminary report should be made from the exist-
ing documentation and observation of the condition of the sculpture or sculptural group.
This is the initial diagnosis of the property from which its potential, needs and study
priorities are defined. The report should justify each study request based on a search of
specific information, and in the case of large-scale projects, it may be necessary to carry
out a Preliminary Study, a project in itself that precedes the conservation and restoration
project. In these cases, there should be little time between the preliminary study and the
conservation treatment, in order not to affect the validity of the former.
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The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
The object study process should be approached sequentially, following the dynamic set
by the project manager throughout the different stages. The following sets out the general areas
for possible research9, in the understanding that an exhaustive list of techniques or tests is not
applicable, given that they depend on both the prior knowledge of the cultural property and of
the problems that may arise:
Study of historical and artistic value: In some cases, the consideration for the treat-
ment may require to set the different values of the artwork to justify special attention owing
to its chronological assignation, authorship, requirements for the presentation of the object, or
other reasons. This means that it is important to approach the study of the property by means of
both iconographic and stylistic analysis, and scientific/documentary analysis, which should be
conducted by an art historian who specialises in that field of knowledge.
Material history study: Regardless of authorship, each object has its individual material
history: relocation, addition or removal of elements, transformations, prior interventions and
alterations, which are integral to its evolutionary process. These events can be noted on the
object during a first direct reading, and confirmed through other specialised analysis. However,
in most cases information is revealed in the course of the intervention, as the result of accessing
concealed areas of both the structure and layers of polychromy.
Study of the cultural property composition: Several aspects of the asset can be studied
from different actions:
–– Planimetric study. The planimetry of a sculptural group not only focuses on typological or
formal aspects of the property (external aspect), but analyses the aspects of the typology
of its construction and structure (internal aspects), defining the elements it comprises, their
function, and their relationship with the architectural space in which it is located. This may
require the exploration of concealed areas through which the critical support points and
connections to the fabric of the building are revealed.
–– Analysis of construction methods. This is performed through the study of the marks left
by the construction process on the support of the sculpture or sculptural group: type of
wood, marks denoting the workshop, toolmarks, assembly marks, placement of blocks for
carving, hollowing methods, etc. In the case of complex structures, the analysis of this set
of information helps to determine the history of the object’s construction and modifications
made over time, which are recorded graphically in the planimetric study.
–– Imaging study. This refers to the physical examination of the internal structure of the sculp-
ture by means of X-ray or a conventional method (a sole image per capture where there
are superimposed planes), or preferably by means of computed tomography (CT), which
provides multiple images of the interior of the object in any plane of space without being
superimposed. CT not only provides information of the internal construction of the sculp-
ture, but the scope of transformations and of deterioration, such as cracks or insect attack.
The limitations of the CT are set by the scanner used, which can be industrial or medical.
Medical CT scanners are more accessible, as they can be lent by hospitals, but have the dis-
advantage of size limitations and low imaging resolution compared to industrial scanners.
9
“The conservation and restoration of monuments must have recourse to all the sciences and techniques which can con-
tribute to the study and safeguarding of the architectural heritage.” Venice Charter, Art. 2 (1964).
92
The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
Fig. 8: Graphic documentation of the elements´structure, field notes taken during the conservation and restoration of the
Cabinetry in the sacristy of the Cathedral of Murcia in 2011. Photograph: Laura Ceballos, IPCE.
Fig. 9: Exploration process for the Calvary group of the Bethlehem Altarpiece (Church of Santa María, Laredo) by CT scan at
the Laredo District Hospital, Cantabria. Photograph: Laura Ceballos, IPCE.
93
The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
–– Analysis of painting methods. The study of the method and process of execution is per-
formed, which is determined by means of direct examination with the aid of optical mag-
nification, and the stratigraphic reading of surface coatings on the different polychromed
surfaces of the piece. The study should consider the relation between those areas by
means of a polychromy correspondence study10, with assistance from laboratory analysis,
where necessary.
Study of the environment and risks to the cultural property: This study will basically
assess the risk of deterioration12 of the property in the surroundings in which it is found:
–– By means of interviews with the owner or manager, a study will be made of the function
fulfilled and the expectations of use for the property13, for the purpose of science, exhi-
bition, worship, etc. The aim of the analysis is to establish whether this use is compatible
with its long-term conservation, with assessment of the maintenance or conservation hab-
its of the social setting in which the piece is located.
10
This is a stratigraphic study of the polychromy in the different colour fields of the sculpture, the aim of which is to establish
the relationship between the different layers, linking them, and thus establishing a timeline for the historical evolution of the
polychromy on the sculpture.
11
Administrators are understood to be owners or custodians of the property (museum curator, public official or person in
charge of the church).
12
...threats that might alter significance, and the probability of their occurrence. UNE_EN 15898 Conservation of the cultural
property. Main general terms and definitions. March 2012.
13
Movements, events, dismantling of images, large numbers of visitors, presence of candles, etc.
14
The most studied causes of the entry of water in old buildings are rising damp through the ground, rainwater leaks and
drainage problems in the building, and condensation caused by high levels of moisture on cold surfaces. Museum fittings
such as display cases and obsolete air conditioning systems can also cause problems of condensation that may also affect
the preservation of properties.
94
The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
–– The risks of natural catastrophes, fires, violent attacks, theft and vandalism will also be studied.
It is also necessary to undertake further investigation into the materials used in restoration,
by means of trials with new cleaning methods or procedures for polychrome surfaces of sculptures,
ageing tests and mechanical tests on the materials applied directly to the polychrome sculpture.
Diagnosis in itself is an interpretation of the data resulting from the examination and the
scientific observation of the property in its context17, contrasted by the laboratory tests performed.
It must conform to the rules of scientific integrity18, clearly indicating the sources of information19
and limitations of the interpretation methods used. This may lead to variations that give rise to
proposals for different, even contradictory, actions. In such cases, the prevailing option will be
that of greater preservation of the physical integrity of the property and its documentary value.
15
The diagnostic examination comprises:
- identification, determination of the composition and the assessment of condition
- identification, nature and extent of alterations
- evaluation of the causes of deterioration
- determination of the type and extent of treatment needed
- study of relevant existing information
E.C.C.O. Professional Guidelines: The Profession. 2002.
16
Deterioration: “process of making or becoming worse or lower in quality, value, character, etc.” In Illustrated glossary on
stone deterioration patterns ICOMOS-ISCS, Monuments and Sites XV (2011).
17
By means of fieldwork.
18
AIC. Commentaries to the GUIDELINES FOR PRACTICEGuidelines for Practice. 2003. Commentary 18: Interpretation.
19
Principle 2.1. ICOMOS. Ename Charter, 2005.
95
4
Treatment
proposal
Fig. 10: Saint Francis of Assisi. Author: Pedro de Mena, c. 1662. Primate Cathedral of Toledo. Conservation and
restoration performed in 2009 by Spanish Cultural Heritage Institute (IPCE). Photograph: José Puy. IPCE.
The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
Conservation and restoration actions on wooden sculpture are not trivial and should not be
performed thoughtlessly. Conservation philosophy gives priority to procedure, the way in which
the work is carried out and its quality, as against the widespread trend for only accepting or
appreciating visible and fast results (results measured by quantity, immediacy and low cost),
which is a feature of contemporary society. This assessment of procedure may cause conflict
with those owners or administrators of cultural properties who are not familiar with professional
conservation actions.
For this purpose, the proposal for action should conform to these ethical principles, which
are inherent to professional practice:
–– The use of clear and accessible language when explaining and justifying the time to be
taken for treating the sculpture.
–– Not giving into existing social pressure in order to cut back on the necessary resources for
carrying out of works directed towards the conservation of cultural property, resorting to
the practice of social dumping20,21.
–– To the degree that the result of conservation and restoration operations falls directly to the
conservator-restorer, they must be qualified by an officially recognised conservation and
restoration institution with degree status or equivalent according to the European Union
directives set out by the Bologna Process.
–– The participation of those professionals in traditional arts and crafts (artistic cabinet-mak-
ing, sculpture, gilding and polychromy, artistic wrought ironwork, and masonry) is advo-
cated for the reproduction of missing elements by means of craft methods, as required by
the conservator-restorer responsible for executing the project.
The decision regarding the type and scope of intervention is limited by a series of con-
ditioning factors, such as the context of the project, economic resources and purpose of the
treatment. These factors will determine the decision-making process regarding the design of a
proposal for action that is coherent with the conditions of each property at a specific time. If at
that time the conditions are not present to guarantee the appropriate conservation and restora-
tion actions, the most sensible option is to wait until such conditions become favourable and
to utilise the resources for the study of the work and its environment, and carrying out only
preventive actions.
20
6th Conference of Ministers Responsible for Cultural Heritage (22-24 April 2015) NAMUR DECLARATION. Appendix: Guide-
lines for the European Cultural Heritage Strategy for the 21st Century: “Combatting social dumping where heritage-related
labour is concerned”.
21
Dumping social: the unfair competitive practice based on the exploitation of workers to achieve low labour costs and to
offer attractive prices for the products offered (Dictionary of Economic and Financial Terms, La Caixa Bank).
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The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
–– The objectives of the project and the criteria to be applied. This section explains the extent
to which the treatment is to be applied, and the reasons for choosing such a treatment
instead of another of the different existing alternatives.
–– Description of the methodology of the different intervention stages. Each stage will be
explained chronologically, with the specification of the objective, methodology, sequence
and location of the different actions.
–– Total human and material resources, and the time required for each of the different stages
(timetable).
–– Specification regarding the quality of the equipment and materials to be used, the identity
and qualifications of the personnel involved in the intervention, and methods for protect-
ing the environment to guarantee the safety of personnel and the work site.
–– The methods for documenting that are to be used during the process, their content and
the format in which the documentation will be submitted. Where applicable, a description
of possible dissemination actions for the project that facilitates its understanding and ac-
ceptance by society.
98
5
Stages of intervention
Fig. 11: Reintegration process of the elements of the mayor altarpiece of Oteruelo, from the Museum
of La Rioja, restored by the IPCE in 2007. Photograph: IPCE.
The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
The different stages of the intervention process are not always implemented following the same
linear sequence. The different processes may take place simultaneously owing to the actual work
dynamic, the characteristics of each cultural property and its condition. The order presented in
this document is merely informative.
5.1. Cleaning
A wooden statue, whether or not polychromed, presents a surface finish decided by the artist in
order to make use of the different angles by which the light bounces off the carved relief. This
involves using surface coatings and pictorial methods whose means of application is different
from that of paint. Polychromy plays with texture in order to imitate materials: flesh, fabric, met-
als and stone, unlike painting, which represents reality by means of perspective on a single flat
surface. While the materials may be the same, the way in which they are applied that combines
the effects of matt and gloss, types of brushstrokes, and incised, sgraffito or appliqué decoration
make the difference, given that the forms are defined by the actual sculptural volume22.
Historically, polychrome sculpture has followed the guidelines and criteria inherited from
the field of easel painting (canvas and panel). However, the cleaning of polychrome sculpture
entails a series of technical problems that are different from those of easel painting owing to its
different methods and the three-dimensional nature of the surface. Studies conducted by means
of solubility tests in the field of easel painting, represented by a succession of lists of formula-
tions, have in many cases been found to be of little use given the particular features of paint
materials used in sculpture, and such aspects have only recently been dealt with as a result of
the study of sculpture polychromy techniques.
Nevertheless, there are generally accepted ethical and procedural principles for cleaning
surface paint that are perfectly valid in the field of polychrome sculpture. The most important
is to consider cleaning to be an irreversible procedure, which must be determined and carried
out by specialists. A property can have its legibility and integrity reinstated, or be ruined forever,
not only as a result of the procedure used, but of the way in which it is done. On no account
is cleaning a neutral or objective procedure; it is continuously subject to the interpretation or
judgement of the conservator-restorer who is performing the operation and who has the respon-
sibility to decide at that moment which reality is to be revealed through cleaning.
Cleaning as a process is subject to a great many considerations in which different interests over-
lap, both aesthetic and of conservation. Objectively, once dirt or reapplied paint have damaged a
piece or have been absorbed by it, they are rarely considered a danger for its future conservation
and they do not tend to be a condition in need of urgent resolution. However, when the integ-
rity23 of the object is assessed, they are considered foreign to it (or secondary materials added
during its useful life), and its cleaning is necessary when:
22
PHILIPPOT, Paul (1970): “Problèmes esthétiques et archéologiques de conservation des sculptures polychromes”, Studies
in Conservation, Volume 15, Issue Supplement-1 (June 1970), pp. 59-62.
23
Integrity: Quality of being integral – not lacking any of its parts (RAE). When we speak of the material integrity of the object,
we are judging whether the elements it presents should be there or not.
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The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
–– They are able to cause damage. For example, accumulations of dust and environmental
dirt alter the chemical composition of some unprotected pigments; accumulations of soil
attract pests and moisture, and on some occasions the excessive thickness of reapplied
paint can cause layers of polychromy to become detached.
–– They hinder recognition of the piece. In this case, the cleaning action is an aesthetic
impulse, an unconscious desire to clean, because we consider the natural and appropriate
state of the sculpture to be clean, and a layer of dirt is indicative of neglect. When there is
evidence of a lower layer of historical importance, as may be polychromy of better quality,
or where carved details of the sculpture are seen to have “dulled”, the need to understand
and to further knowledge on the finding is added to this impulse.
Over the years, sculptures gradually accumulate substances on their surfaces. These may or may
not be an intended result, but they will always form a part of their history and may be contribu-
tions protected by law24. Common sense should always prevail in the decision to remove them.
From cleaning off dust to removing overpainting or repolychromy, the decisions should be tak-
en after an in-depth study of both the substance to be removed and the possibility of doing so
without damaging the original property.
–– Dirt25 is not an informative part of the life of an object, and therefore it is difficult to sub-
ject its removal to judgement.
–– Accumulations through use. When dirt is related to the use of the object (wax, candle
smoke), a critical attitude is required when deciding whether to preserve this information,
and whether it is crucial to the understanding of the function of the sculpture within the
context of exhibition.
24 “
The restoration of properties referred to in this article should respect the contributions from all existing periods. The re-
moval of any of these will only be authorised in exceptional cases and providing the elements to be removed constitute a
clear deterioration of the property and their removal is necessary to enhance its historical interpretation. The eliminated
parts should be duly documented”. Art. 39. Paragraph 3. LAW 16/1985, of 25 June, concerning Spanish Historical Heritage
(BOE (Spanish Official Gazette) of 29 June 1985).
25
Understood as dust, grime, or other unintentional accumulations.
101
The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
Fig. 12: Cleaning surface process, revealing an underlying oil paint repolichromy. The image belongs to Pedro de Mena´s
Penitent Mary Magdalene, treated in IPCE in 1994. Photograph: José Puy. IPCE.
–– Overpainting and retouching26. This term is used to describe a layer of polychromy the
only intention of which is to conceal damage. It imitates the original base colour and can
extend over the entire coloured area (overpainting), or only affect the damaged area (re-
touching). The decision whether to remove this layer is linked to the fact of being former
restoration treatments, like the addition of varnishes, which do not belong to the original
object or contribute anything to its history, other than the fact that it underwent interven-
tion on one or several occasions. The decision depends on any distortion that may be
caused to the colour and the possibility of removing it without damaging or altering the
underlying surface.
26
Overpainting, touch ups and repolychromy are terms defined in the documentation created during the meetings of the Latin
Working Group of Polychrome Sculpture in the 1990s.
102
The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
Fig. 13: Stages of the lifting off the repolychrome from a sculpture in 2004 that is a part of the Paular Altarpiece (at
the left), and the same process from the original flesh painting of the Ecce Homo sculpture by Gregorio Fernandez
(Cathedral of Valladolid, treated in IPCE in 1989). Photographs: IPCE.
27
Ruiz de Arcaute, Emilio (2009): Aportaciones a la teoría de la Restauración, communication given at the 4th GEIIC Confer-
ence, Cáceres, November 2009.
28
Solvents used to remove a layer of polychromy can soften the underlying layers, which may be worn or in bad condition.
This primitive deterioration is one of the reasons for the application of repolychromy in its day, which is now to be removed.
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The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
Before commencing tests for the treatment that is to be applied, it is necessary to identify the
composition and succession of layers of the different areas (Section 4: Documentation) Tests for
the behaviour of materials to cleaning are performed on the actual property29 by means of the
cleaning tests methodology, complemented with physical analysis and studies in a laboratory,
where applicable. The aim is to assess the effectiveness of the cleaning system by previously
establishing what is to be removed, from which surface and with which methodology. The
methods, application procedures and working ranges for each of the parameters involved in
the cleaning should be adjusted in such a way as to prevent the original layers from softening,
weakening or suffering from mechanical damage.
It is difficult to establish a systematic cleaning protocol for polychrome sculpture, as each pro-
cess must be studied specifically owing to the heterogeneity of the painting techniques, the
condition of the sculpture and that of the material to be removed. The choice of cleaning meth-
odologies for the sculpture is still empirical in nature, based on the professional practice and the
contribution and adaptation of previous protocols from easel paintings. Methods should not be
chosen merely because similar objects have been cleaned in the same way; for this reason, the
cleaning of polychrome sculpture should take the following precautions into account:
All cleaning methods are potentially more or less abrasive; therefore the advantage of un-
dertaking a cleaning operation should compensate the exposure to the possible wear produced
to the property. Chemical solvent systems can imply risks owing to the porous nature of the
sculpture, as the surface tends to absorb the product and retain it. Mechanical means, in turn,
should be used with optical magnification or a microscope which offers greater precision and
prevents possible microabrasion that is not apparent to the naked eye. A professional should
know the risks of each procedure in order not to make mistakes; nobody is in a better position
to decide on the level of cleaning that can be achieved successfully and when it is necessary to
redefine the procedure and even to bring it to a halt.
The purpose of cleaning is not to reinstate the cultural property to a theoretical initial state.
This can lead to overcleaning, which erodes the original surface, solubilising substances in its
composition, or leaving it unprotected. This may occur unnoticed owing to the interest of evening
out uneven areas with dirt, given the complex morphology of the layers, or simply as the result of
shoddy work or ignorance. Therefore, cleaning should not be carried out in the following cases:
–– Surfaces with patinas30: Although there has been much discussion about the nature of
patina, this name is used to refer to the homogeneous deposition on the surface of the
sculpture that causes it to darken slightly. Formed by a mixture of lixiviated materials (from
oil paint or wood), with a change of colour occurring on the outermost surface layer. Its
removal would invariably entail the loss of original material.
–– Dirt, surface coatings or stains absorbed by the original material, as can occur in the case
of matt or porous polychromy.
29
The dimension of the test areas should be small and fairly inconspicuous.
30
Natural patinas are considered to be chromatic transformations of the material, due to natural causes that leave a mark
showing the passage of time, and artificial patinas are those layers that were applied intentionally in the past, for protective
or aesthetic purposes... Criteria for intervening in stone materials. Bienes Culturales Journal Issue no. 3. IPHE 2003.
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The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
–– Original material, whether degraded or not, as is the case of disintegrated ground layers,
colour distortion due to degraded pigments, etc.
If the decision is taken not to clean or remove a layer, it is necessary to clarify the reason-
ing (whether out of the desire to preserve the layer or due to insufficient resources with which
to take on the work without risk to the property) to inform a future conservator-restorer, who
will probably be asked for a second opinion.
The following section lists and describes in detail a selection of methods and materials
that can currently be used to clean the surfaces of sculptures:
–– Aqueous methods
These are based on the use of water as a medium for the removal of dirt. If there are
soluble layers, special care should be taken since there is a high risk of their equilibrium
being affected by moisture. Water is rarely used alone in the case of painted surfaces.
Surfactants and chemical reagents that modify the acidity and conductivity of the solution
are often added. In this case, the amount of water in the system increases in the rinsing or
neutralising operations.
Application can be made in different ways (swabs of soft cotton, patches of absorbent
materials or gel systems) and the use of deionised water with a pH range of 6.5–8.5 is rec-
ommended with control of the amount of applied water. Within aqueous systems, action
on certain substances can be accelerated with the use of specific enzymes, or restraint by
means of saturating the support with volatile silicone solvents.
–– Use of solvents
The choice of suitable solvent for removing a specific material requires the exact knowl-
edge of the chemical properties of the material to be dissolved. If a laboratory analysis is
not available, the identification of the material can be figured out through preliminary sol-
ubility tests31, which can provide guidance on the suitable solubility parameters for the job.
The health risks for the conservator inherent to the use of liquid organic solvents has led
to the recent search for alternative cleaning systems using gels and emulsions as vehicles,
which is much safer for workers and prevent undesirable penetration into and retention by
the property. Application methods can include systems that limit absorption of the product
by the support, such as intermediate layers of paper or other materials.
The use of gels requires the implementation of methods for verifying the removal of their
residues.
31
Teas Graph, Feller’s Test, IRPA Chart
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The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
Fig. 14: Cabinetry in the sacristy of the Cathedral of Murcia. Cleaning the surface with solvents. Photograph: IPCE.
–– Mechanical methods
These use mechanical energy to remove surface deposits and elements that are foreign to
the cultural property. Several systems can use manual tools, erasers and even ultrasonic
devices. These can be used in conjunction with aqueous and chemical methods.
–– Laser method32
This uses photon energy to remove the deposits and is based on the interaction of these plus their
support element with pulses of laser light. When the fluence or energy density33 during the laser
pulse exceeds a certain value, the material is eliminated through a process known as ablation.
The suitability and effectiveness of the method basically depend on the difference in the absorp-
tion of light energy between the deposit (maximum) and the support element (minimum)34. The
firing frequency (number of pulses per second) and the sweep speed should be controlled in all
cases by an expert conservator-restorer, since they determine the outcome of the cleaning pro-
cess. During the cleaning process special attention should be given to the effects on the surface,
given that the selective removal of components or their physical and chemical modifications can
32
UNE 41806-4 IN Laser cleaning techniques.
33
Energy per surface unit.
34
Those normally used to clean wood and painted materials are pulsed lasers emitting on the basic wavelength of 1064 nm (in-
frared), with some devices being capable of generating its second harmonic at 532 nm (green), third at 355 nm (longwave UV)
and fourth at 266 nm (shortwave UV). The laser-material interaction is defined by the wavelength, pulse duration and fluence.
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The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
lead to the lifting of layers. In this regard, special attention should also be paid to the alterations
that may be caused to gilding and certain pigments by the infrared laser action. Laser is very
effective for the removal of dark crusts on non-polychromed wood, because it prevents such
phenomena as swelling, cracking and the migration of substances that occurs with the use of
polar solvents on fine details in carving and highly degraded wood.
Fig. 15: Applying the Nd:YAG laser at 1064 Nm during cleaning of the surface crust from the wood of the choir stalls in the
Cathedral of Palencia. Above: Tests for the different power and firing frequency parameters. Photographs: Laura Ceballos, IPCE.
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The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
While we acknowledge that the presence of domestic pests is universal, we should only use these
assessment tools to determine the level of their presence and tolerable activity in each particular case. Con-
sequently, reasonable actions are to be designed that keep these pests at a level that they do not pose an
unnecessary risk to the integrity of the properties and the health and safety of people and the surroundings.
This refers to preventive actions that should be taken at the site where the cultural properties
are held. It is necessary to promote a preventive culture in places where the risk of biological
attack is recognised, such as historical buildings, museums with collections of an organic nature,
areas with a high relative humidity, and all places with low surveillance, such as storage facilities,
where pests can proliferate without being disturbed by human presence.
–– Order and cleanliness: It is necessary to avoid the presence of food or material that at-
tracts wood-boring insect infestations, such as untreated wood, organic waste, plants and
flowers, storage of packing material, etc. It is essential that a policy of regular cleaning is
implemented in all areas in order to not create sources of infestation.
–– Insulation: Buildings should be properly insulated from the exterior, both to prevent the
entry of moisture and insects.
–– Ventilation: Wooden structures and the sculptures should be ventilated to prevent conden-
sation of moisture, and insulated from the fabric of the building (floors and outer walls),
to prevent the absorption of moisture coming from there.
–– Access and regular inspections: It is necessary to have a good knowledge of the entire
extent of the building, including the less used places, and to access the collection in order
to schedule regular inspections, the aim of which is to recognise the presence of pests
through examination, sample collection or trap setting. Overcrowding in storage facilities
must be avoided as this hinders their cleaning and surveillance. In the case of altarpieces
and other sculptural groups in wood, it is essential to have walkways or means that allow
access to hidden or high areas in order to carry out those inspections.
35
Agents causing biodeterioration are understood to be microorganisms, insects, birds and mammals. To keep this section brief, we give pref-
erence to describing the measures for action against the agents most commonly found to alter wooden supports, as is the case of insects.
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The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
Once the presence of pests has been acknowledged, it is necessary to assess their nature, ac-
tivity and extent. Broadly speaking36, the main threats for collections of wooden items on the
Iberian Peninsula are insects in their larval stage, which colonise the object, and social insects or
termites, whose colonies may be located outside it. The approach required for their treatment is
very different and, in both cases, the participation of specialist personnel becomes necessary in
order to carry out the corresponding control measures and treatments.
The treatment of larval stage insects involves treating the entire object. Treatment with inert
gases is recommended, inside an airtight, vapour barrier film bag, for their eradication when the
environment of the property is controlled and reinfestation can be prevented. The source of inert
gas (nitrogen) should always be coupled with an adjustable humidification unit so that the dry-
ness of the gas does not alter the moisture balance of the wood during treatment. Consequently,
the humidity conditions inside the bag should be monitored at all times. This treatment can last
between 2 and 8 weeks depending on the size of the property, the resilience of the insect, the
structural characteristics and components of the infested material, and the climatic conditions of
the treatment environment37.
Fig. 16: Disinfestation with nitrogen of the sculpture of Our Lady of Sorrows, by Pedro de Mena (Monastery of Saint Joaquin
and Saint Anne in Valladolid). Photograph: Laura Ceballos, IPCE.
36
Excluding the damage that may be caused by other species (microorganisms, birds and mammals).
37
VALENTÍN, Nieves: “Biodeterioro. Infestaciones y su erradicación” En Retablos. Bienes Culturales Journal Issue No. 2: 175
– 186 (2003).
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The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
Chemical control
In the case of environments with little or no control, biocides have traditionally been used38.
These are considered a suitable method for solving specific problems and for preventing future
ones. Liquid biocides applied by injection or by brush come with risks, not only because they
are toxic for people, but also because of the way they are used on properties. Today the appli-
cation of biocides is subject to regulation39, and certain knowledge40 of these products is now
required for their use. The property must also be protected, in order to prevent the product from
changing its appearance or affecting the polychrome. The treatment should always be tested
and performed under the supervision of the conservator-restorer, although the application of the
biocides is carried out by another person.
Termite treatment
An increase in termite infestations of buildings has been detected in recent years, not only in
rural areas but in cities. The activity of termite colonies can cause serious damage to the wooden
support of sculptures and compromise the ability of altarpieces structures to bear loads, causing
them to collapse in a short time. Their presence has been detected in both warm and humid
climates and in dry areas with low temperatures.
Aside from the appropriate measures for buildings and the environment, treatments for the
eradication of termites are carried out by means of traps baited with chitin synthesis inhibitors,
which inhibit the growth of the insect. The effect is progressive and requires constant monitoring
for several months until total colony activity ceases.
38
Biocide: any substance or mixture, in the form in which it is supplied to the user, consisting of, containing or generating one
or more active substances, with the intention of destroying, deterring, rendering harmless, preventing the action of, or oth-
erwise exerting a controlling effect on, any harmful organism by any means other than mere physical or mechanical action
(Definition according to the EU Biocides Regulation No. 528/2012).
39
The EU Biocides Regulation on Biocidal Products (528/2012 (EU BPR) regulates the making available on the market and use
of biocides.
40
Spanish Royal Decree 830/2010 sets out the regulations for qualifying to carry out treatments with biocides.
41
http://ipce.mcu.es/pdfs/ProtocoloTermitas.pdf
http://ipce.mcu.es/pdfs/Conclusiones_Plagas.pdf
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The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
Fig. 17: Termites in the wooden structure of the altarpieces from the church of San Andrés, Rasines, Cantabria, located during
dismantling. Photograph: IPCE.
Dismantling a structure must be fully justified, because it is a procedure that requires a significant
investment of resources and entails the risk of losing information and integrity for the property.
It is a critical operation in which the security of the polychrome has to be guaranteed by means
of preliminary actions, such as the logging of all technical characteristics that are relevant for its
assembly and subsequent study, maker’s marks, plans, initials and historical marks for assembly
or dismantling, etc. This procedure should not be separate from the integral altarpiece conserva-
tion project, because it has to be executed by the same professionals who will assemble it anew.
42
Sculptural structures are considered to be works of wood with carved decoration, such as altarpieces, baldacchini, choir
stalls, organ cases, cabinetry, pulpits and other liturgical furniture in carved wood, whether polychromed, varnished or with
a natural finish. These structures have been built to occupy a specific and permanent space inside a building, despite being
catalogued under the term “movable property”.
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The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
Fig. 18: Different sequences of the classification and assembling of retables in the recovery and conservation project carried
out in the Museum of La Rioja collection by the IPCE in 2008. Photographs: IPCE.
–– Transfer owing to arbitrary relocation, or to request for pieces or parts for temporary ex-
hibitions.
–– Dismantling that requires the sacrifice of original parts, whether the wooden support or
the polychromy.
The ease or difficulty of assembly and dismantling operations is determined by the type
of property and the evolution of the historical carpentry work. In earlier periods (e.g. Gothic
and Renaissance altarpieces), carpenters created simple designs, flat structures with practically
detachable, overlapping pieces, which allowed their movement and transfer inside buildings. As
architecture evolved, altarpieces and furnishings gradually adapted to the more complex shapes
of apses and naves of churches, by means of permanent structures anchored by nails and with
polychromy applied over glued and cloth-covered joins, once the altarpiece was assembled.
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The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
These structures are typical of the Baroque style, and their dismantling or relocation, generally
complex operations, could cause serious damage to the pieces.
Consequently, prior knowledge of the type of property to be handled, and the carpentry
used is necessary, with these characteristics recorded in the specific studies mentioned previ-
ously in the documentation, research and diagnosis stage (planimetric study and analysis of
construction methods). After this study of the structure, the plans are made for the separation of
the elements and pieces, their classification, nomenclature, coding system and location on the
plan for their dismantling. Before and during the dismantling process, height markings for the
different levels are made directly on the walls.
The dismantled pieces are always to be placed over padded surfaces and neutral packing
material of conservation quality is to be used. A coding system is to be employed by means of
labels that do not damage the surface of the wood or polychromy, with mechanical joins without
the use of adhesives or nails. Each original piece will bear its exact location coordinates, in ac-
cordance with a plan made to scale. The fragments obtained after cleaning debris and dirt are to
be collected and labelled, with their approximate location to assist in their possible replacement.
After dismantling, cleaning works and repairs to the site will be carried out, for example:
–– Repointing of walls in bad condition, specific treatments for mural paintings, etc.
–– Cleaning, levelling and protection of the floor, or where applicable the masonry founda-
tion, with specific materials (metal plates, polyethylene foam, insect barriers, etc.) that pre-
vent the capillary action of moisture and hinder the entrance of insects into the structure.
–– Removal, relocation or replacement of the electrical or other installations that have become obsolete.
Wherever possible, the original anchoring systems are to be retained; however, in special
circumstances43 the relocation of the altarpiece or structure away from the wall may be contem-
Fig. 19: Different stages in the assembly of pieces of the main altarpiece of Rasines (approximately 10 x 14 metres) by means
of the connection and adaptation of Baroque elements with traditional carpentry methods. Photographs: IPCE.
43
For example, direct contact with a damp wall that is causing problems with moisture seepage, a non-original assembly
without distance between the wall, etc.
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The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
plated, in order to enable its ventilation and inspection of the rear. In large altarpieces where
there is sufficient distance from the wall, walkways should be installed in the space to allow safe
access to their entire height.
A new assembly implies new structural solutions depending on the formal characteristics
of the altarpiece and the addition of new carpentry material. In broad terms, there are two op-
tions: traditional carpentry with wood, and metal work with modular structures in stainless steel
or anodised aluminium. The decision for choosing one or the other, or hybrid systems, depends
on many factors and variables, mainly the characteristics of the altarpiece (the regularity of its
spatial layout and environment) and the experience and skill of the executor.
In general, when wood is used, a new structure is not designed. The lost original system
is rebuilt with new wood so that the structure functions again, more or less, as it was originally
designed, with the intention of not adding superfluous elements or only those needed to en-
sure structural stability. This option requires the hiring of a certified carpenter and cabinetmaker
specialising in conservation, who knows and has mastered the execution of assemblies and
construction systems in altarpiece and historical carpentry. It also requires the setting up of a
carpentry workshop with specialist equipment inside the building for the duration of works. As
a structural element, wood presents many advantages. It is visually appealing material that is
resistant, compatible and naturally adaptable to the original structure. However, a choice must be
made of quality wood that has been cured and protected against insects, which may be through
the use of a wood that resists insects, the use of laminated wood, or wood that has been pre-
viously impregnated in an autoclave44. Cuts made to wood protected in an autoclave must be
impregnated again with a liquid that protects against wood-boring insects.
The choice of metalwork is appropriate for the design of parallel reinforcement structures
in altarpieces that do not have a very complex spatial geometry, such as altarpieces with a shal-
low, panelled structure that require a rear structure to keep it balanced. It can also be used as
an element for supporting the weight of panels, and to replace beams or braces set into the wall
and weakened by the attack of wood-boring insects. The metal structure should be compatible
with the natural movement of the wood, because if a completely rigid system is used, there is a
risk that the elements of the altarpiece will deform, given that wood is the softest fraction of the
system. Square metal tubes with different sections and grooved profiles45 can be used as they
offer versatility when installing support systems and anchoring at chosen points of the altarpiece
or structure. Damping systems for movement will be studied for these points using semi-rigid
hubs and other systems offering flexibility, such as springs, medium density polyethylene foam
tape, etc. to prevent the wood from damage by friction or excessive pressure.
44
Timber certified to have been treated in an autoclave with the double vacuum system and sprayed with Corpol PF3 to risk
class 3.
45
PARET, J.: Resultats de l’aplicació d’una nova modalitat d’estructura metàl.lica per al muntatge de retaules. En Rescat
Butlletí del Servei de Restauració de Béns Mobles de la Generalitat de Catalunya. N.º 10, July 2001.
PARET, J.: Modalitat d’estructura metàl.lica per al muntatge de retaules (II): Estructura modular d’alumini anoditzat per al
muntatge del retaule de Santa María Magdalena, del Monestir de Santes Creus. Rescat. Butlletí del Servei de Restauració
de Béns Mobles de la Generalitat de Catalunya.n 11, May 2002.
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The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
Fig. 20: Details of the modular reinforcement structure designed for the Lamentation altarpiece, La Seu d’Urgell. Photographs:
CRBMC Archive.
–– Support consolidation operations for degraded wood by means of impregnation with resins.
The loss of mechanical resistance by wood attacked by insects has serious consequences in
the case of polychrome sculpture: the collapse of the support owing to disintegration, and the
difficulty for implementing treatments such as consolidation of polychromy or infilling, tradi-
tionally carried out with small slivers of wood. Consolidation by impregnation aims to restore
mechanical cohesion by means of the application of different types of synthetic resins, which
not only act as a hardening agent for the material but as a binding medium for loose particles.
These procedures are difficult to reverse, which means that their application should be justified
by a real need.
Consolidation of the support can have different aims: enabling subsequent treatments
(consolidation of paint layers), enabling the piece to be handled, and/or restoring its load-bear-
ing ability for determined exhibition conditions. In order to meet these aims, the extent, pene-
tration, amount, nature and, ultimately, the methodology for applying the consolidating agent
are highly variable.
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The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
The diagnosis of the condition of the wood will help to determine its permeability and
predict the degree to which the consolidating liquid will penetrate the wood. Non-destructive
methods, such as physical studies using X-ray or CT are able to provide a faithful assessment
of the condition of the wood, but in the case of large-scale structures, this study will have to be
conducted using other types of visual or technical inspections.
–– Surface finishes, such as polychromy or varnishes, can become altered when in contact
with the solvents and resins used in the formulation of consolidating agents, therefore they
must be applied specifically using a brush, syringe or dropper.
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The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
Many of the substances used in the consolidation of cultural properties made of wood
originated with industrial methods used in architectural structures and sea-going vessels46. For
many reasons (colour change, irreversibility and short-term degradation of components), these
substances should not be used on movable property, where the condition, use and final desti-
nation of the object requires a methodology that conforms to the characteristics of stability and
retreatability47. The restoration of adequate resistance to loads in a cultural property does not
necessarily mean restoring the original structural qualities, often excessive, but giving it back
enough strength for its responsible use. Application of consolidating agents should not be made
indiscriminately. It should conform to the principle of minimum intervention, restricting it to
those elements or areas that require it owing to their alteration degree.
Consolidating agents have limited penetration, and this depends on the type of disintegra-
tion or the size of the insect boreholes in the wood and the viscosity of the product. If there are
large boreholes over a wide area, it will be necessary to add an inert filler to the resin solution
being used to fill the holes, which will prevent contraction when the resin dries48.
New consolidation technologies are being developed, but their use requires studies to
guarantee their suitability and compatibility.
The aim of these operations is to guarantee the integrity of the fragmented support, preventing
detachments, loss of material and movement of pieces.
For the adhesion of fragments, stable products are to be used that combine good adhe-
sive strength with the possibility of future elimination, removing the residues from the surface to
prevent any discoloration that they can cause. The use of purified animal glue is recommended,
the easy reversibility of which can allow subsequent dismantling of the pieces. Where maximum
join strength is required, in fractures subject to pressure where possible detachment can cause
damage to the object, conservation quality synthetic polyvinyl acetate resin can be used.
For the mechanical union, wooden dowels, bamboo or even fibreglass rods are recom-
mended, with their cross section and length being varied in keeping with the size and position
of the fragments to be joined together. The methodology of application will be decided in each
case depending on the characteristics of the cultural property, the use of traditional carpentry
systems by means of dovetail assemblies being suitable. In the case of larger pieces, where com-
plex assemblies are required, a prior study of their design and the direction of the wood grain
should be conducted to prevent future tension owing to their anisotropic behaviour.
46
Liquid epoxy resins have been in use since 1970 (SCHAFFER, E., 1971; MUNNIKENDAM, R. A., 1972; BARCLAY, R., 1981) on
wooden structures and also in filling mortars, mixed with sawdust (Arriaga Martitegui, 1986). Consolidation of wooden archi-
tectural structures is currently done with dual-phase epoxy resins, such as EPO® or Araldite®, in low-density formulations.
47
Acrylic solutions of Paraloid B72 in organic solvents such as acetone, ethanol, toluene and xylene (PHENIX, A., 1992) have
been widely used for this purpose since 1970 (E. DE WITTE et al., 1980).
48
CEBALLOS, L. (2013): Sistemas de consolidación de retablos colonizados por termitas en la iglesia de San Andrés (Rasines,
Cantabria). In Informes y trabajos 10. IPCE, 2013. For this purpose, hollow glass microsphere fillers have been used, mixed
with Paraloid B72 acrylic resin. The concentration and viscosity of the mixtures undergo prior testing.
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The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
Fig. 22: Mechanical union, a traditional procedure using wooden dowels to attach the broken arm of Pedro de Mena penitent
Mary Magdalene from the Prado Museum, during its restoration in IPCE, 1994. Photograph: IPCE.
The presence of cavities in the wood owing to fissures, cracks and splits is common in sculpture.
They are often natural phenomena owing to the drying out of green wood at the time, or to
ageing. Before consideration is given to closing these cavities, it should be evaluated whether the
cracks compromise the stability of the structure or only the aesthetics of the property, whether
the wood that contains the cracks is in good condition or requires prior consolidation, or wheth-
er it is a superficial or deep flaw.
These cracks have traditionally been filled automatically using wedge-shaped slivers of
wood arranged in the direction of the grain, then whittled down and coloured to match.
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The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
A block of wood does not lose mechanical resistance because of the presence of cracks
running in the direction of the grain; these are not a serious condition and, objectively, do not
need to be closed. This filling often responds to aesthetic criteria rather than need. The case may
be that this system, even well executed, may cause the crack to extend along the length of the
sculpture, owing to restriction in the contraction and dilation movement of the wood caused by
closing the crack. This produces a transfer of excessive pressure to the support. Where there
is a need to infill with wooden slivers, highly cured wood is to be used, reclaimed wherever
possible, and protected against insects through impregnation with a biocide. If the sculpture in
question is not polychromed, it will be necessary to find wood of the same species so that the
grain will be as similar as possible to the original and the filling is integrated.
If, owing to the irregularity of the crack or cavity, filler is used, the composition of the filler is
to be designed according to the condition of the surrounding wood and the characteristics of the
volume that requires infilling. Systems that combine wooden inserts with filler can be used to adapt
to irregular cavities. Any system used should take into account its possible removal in the future, so
that it does not compromise the integrity of the area of the affected join or hinder subsequent treat-
ments. When very hard and difficult to reverse formulations are used, such as dual-phase epoxy
resins, the use of a mechanical interface between the filling and original material is required. This
is to be protected with a reversible resin that provides a bridge between both materials.
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The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
Lifting of the polychromy from the support is considered a serious concern for polychrome
sculpture and its treatment is a priority because a piece with detached polychromy cannot be
handled securely. This is a progressive form of deterioration that can cause visible, irreversible
damage which is costly to restore. There are different causes for and types of lifting, depending
on the nature of the support, method with which the polychromy was applied, and the environ-
ment in which the property is stored.
The selection of material for consolidation, and the methodology for treatment also de-
pend on different, interrelated factors: the aims of the consolidation49, the nature and condition
of the polychromy50 and the environment in which the sculpture will be kept in the future.
–– The sensitivity of the polychromy to the medium or solvent in the adhesive, which involves
solubility testing on each of the colours it comprises.
–– The sensitivity of the polychrome to pressure or heat, in cases where there are fillers, wax
relief, etc.
–– Whether there is a need for a Japanese paper, non-woven fabric or gauze facing, and the
ease for later removal.
–– The colour saturation or brightness resulting from the application of the adhesive, and
the possibility of removing the residues from the surface without altering the polychromy.
The work to consolidate the polychromy should respect its aesthetic qualities: the contrast
between the gloss and matt of the different areas of gilding, the intention behind the velvety ap-
pearance of the grainy tempera pigments such as azurite, and the matt effect sought in the tempera
sgraffito work. These qualities are very easy to lose in standardised procedures that are applied
without attention, and these treatments should therefore always be carried out by experts.
49
Whether the consolidation is temporary resulting from an emergency, or a complete consolidation in a restoration project.
50
There are different methodologies for water gilding, oil gilding, polychromy using oil paint, polychromy using matt tempera
and grainy tempera, appliqué relief decoration, polychromy using Oriental lacquer, etc.
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The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
Fig. 24: Consolidation process on lifted polychromy of altarpiece elements in the Museum of La Rioja (2008), by means of
animal glue, and controlled heat and pressure. Photograph: IPCE.
–– Improving stability and functionality of the property: When this is necessary for the con-
servation of the sculpture or for its complete physical stability or that of some of its ele-
ments. This type of reinstatement does not usually cause ethical dilemmas, given that it this
necessity is easily understood (see Section 3).
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The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
The reintegration intervention may have the aim of completing the spatial volume or lacu-
nae in the polychromy. In both cases, the location of the reintegrated areas should be graphically
documented with details of the methodology used for this purpose.
Any decision to reintegrate a property should take into account the risks such an operation
entails:
–– Damage owing to wear and mechanical damage in the areas of contact of the original
piece with the reintegrated part during and after the reintegration process.
–– Changes in the physical and chemical properties of the new material added (shrinkage of
fillers, changes in colour where pigments have been reintegrated, etc.).
Reconstruction of lost volume in sculptures can achieve different levels of finish or addition,
which can broadly be defined as:
Level 0: No reintegration, enhancing what remains of the original sculpture. This is the
expression of maximum respect for the authenticity of the work of art, showing the viewers what
remains of it, without giving cause for doubt. The older the sculpture, the more willing the public
is to accept material losses and to accept the effects of time on it. From Egyptian sarcophagi to
Romanesque and medieval images, it is difficult to find reintegrated pieces, and if there are, the
additions were made far earlier in their history.
Level 2: Reintegration of style. The aim of this is to give the work of art back its figurative
function53 completely, and it determines whether there is total or partial reconstruction of its
missing elements, figurative or not, through hypotheses that recreate the artist’s particular style.
These reconstructions are requested mainly in the context of religious worship, where the sculp-
51
Article 9 of the Venice Charter (1964).
52
“...if materials or parts were to be added that were indispensable for its stability or maintenance, the additions should be
recognisable and avoid any mimetic confusion.” Art. 39. Paragraph 2. ACT 16/1985, of 25 June, governing Spanish Historical
Heritage (BOE (Spanish Official Gazette) of 29 June 1985).
53
Brandi, C.: The figurative function is based on its essence as a work of art, i.e. unique and unrepeatable. It has a dual polar-
ity, aesthetic (subjective) and historical (appreciation for a specific public).
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The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
ture requires an aesthetic and formal value that transcends its actual authenticity or historical
value. These are the most controversial actions in the field of sculpture, given that all works of
art possess a particular authorship and intentionality, the essence of which comes into conflict
with the interpretation a new sculptor gives of it.
Currently, the conservation and restoration of sculpture in the religious context has shown
concern for preservation of the authenticity of works in their treatment, thanks to the consensus
with professionals in the field of conservation and specific recommendations with regard to
procedure and documentation54.
Regardless of the intensity of the reintegration, the methodology for the application of
new material over the old must be implemented with sufficient guarantees that the original work
will not be affected, following the guidelines in Section 3.3 (Consolidation: Infilling of cavities,
fissures, cracks and splits). In the case of reintegrations of style, wherever possible these must be
carried out with moving pieces, with simple mechanical joins that allow the piece to be easily
removed when necessary.
54
Carta del Patrimonio de Semana Santa. By Andrés Álvarez Vicente, chairman of the Junta de Cofradías de Semana Santa
of Valladolid in 2010 and signed by his counterparts from other cities in Spain.
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The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
Level 0: No retouching, unless it is necessary to secure or seal the edge of a lacuna which
could be accidentally snagged during handling. The property presents with the original poly-
chromy in fragments, and the base of the lacuna is the actual colour of the wooden support. This
criterion is put into practice in the oldest works of art.
Level 1: Retouching of only selected areas, by means of reversible retouches. This is a com-
monly accepted criterion, resulting from discussion among the members of the interdisciplinary
team where reintegration is assessed for each area within the entire sculpture, for example:
–– Toning down striking contrasts between the dark colour of the wood and the light colour
of the polychromy, to divert attention away from the lacuna.
–– Toning of the original ground layer whose deterioration overwhelms the legibility of the work.
Retouching methods and materials are to be designed according to the colour and texture
of the surrounding areas, and there is a wide range of possibilities, including the use of a brush,
technical pen or even airbrush to achieve surfaces that become unnoticeable to the eye from a
certain distance, depending on the size of the object. Discernible application, by means of dots
or lines, requires meticulous but subtle execution. There is a tendency with retouching for the
colour to shift over time, so the choice should be made of opaque pigments, binding media that
do not yellow, and generally, materials that can be easily removed during the work or in the
future with methods that do not alter the original material.
Level 3: Renovation, re-gilding and patination. In these cases, the action exceeds the limits
of conservation, and therefore should not be given this name. Like reintegration of style, the aim
55
PHILIPPOT, Paul, “Problèmes esthétiques et archéologiques de conservation des sculptures”. In Conservation of Stone and
Wooden Objects. Preprints of the New York Conference, June 7-13, 1970, IIC, 1970, 2nd part, p. 59-62.
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is a change in the perception of an old object for one that is renewed, but in this case through
applications of paint or metal leaf (re-gilding) over the original work, which is sacrificed in
many cases. This was the traditional restoration system for sculpture until the 19th century and
well into the 20th century. From an ethical perspective, these types of sculptures should not be
exhibited as original works, because the polychromy has been changed by another artist. From
the perspective of material conservation, there is a reasonable risk that the applied restoration
materials will cause future alteration phenomena on the piece, such as delamination and chang-
es in colour.
The reproduction of polychromy, gilding and estofado (reproduction of cloth) with tradi-
tional techniques is acceptable, provided it is restricted to replicated decoration applied to new
pieces, within the context of restoration or the exhibition of sculpture and altarpieces. Examples
are the construction of missing stands or parts of altarpieces in masonry, which are necessary for
the physical stability of the property or its composition.
–– To limit the absorption of dirt by a porous paint layer in aggressive storage conditions
(owing to handling or storage in relatively uncontrolled environments).
–– To enhance the qualities of colour (tone and brightness) which have been diminished or
modified by the action of ageing on components of the paint layer, resulting from micro-
abrasion of the surface, or for an optical effect after cleaning with solvents. This is because
varnishes have the property of saturating colours.
Nevertheless, this effect of colour saturation on polychrome sculpture may exceed the
artist’s original intention. Polychrome sculpture is characterised by a variety of finishes within
a single piece, where a shiny and polished metallic surface can coincide with a matt tempera
finish, together with different degrees of gloss in areas of flesh done in oil paint. This gives the
sculpture a series of tactile and optical sensations that can be lost if an even protective coat is
applied to the entire sculpture. Consequently, the use of varnish must be fully justified, applied
to a clean surface, and subject to a preliminary study into the final effect that the varnish may
create on the different surfaces. Its use is not required in many cases.
56
They must have a proven ability to withstand ultraviolet radiation and other atmospheric agents. They must not produce
residues capable of damaging the original materials or of forming harmful substances as they age. Natural resins have tra-
ditionally been used, such as dammar gum, and synthetic ones such as acrylic, ketonic and aliphatic resins.
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The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
–– A solvent that must not swell, soften or damage the original paint layer.
–– Hindered amine light stabilisers (HALS) and antioxidants that limit the action of free rad-
icals in the resin, slowing down the ageing process and phenomena of crosslinking that
may cause it to become insoluble over time (optional); e.g. Tinuvin® 292.
–– Plasticising admixtures (softening agents) that modify its rigidity and make the film formed
more flexible (optional); e.g. polymers such as Kraton® G1650 and Special Gum G1650.
These elements are combined at the appropriate concentration in order not to substantially
modify the properties of gloss and colour of the polychromed surface according to:
–– Degree of fluidity that allows a uniform finish to be achieved with a flat brush, or by
spraying.
–– Sufficiently fast drying to prevent capture of dust during its “mordant” stage. The sticky
nature of a varnished surface on a sculpture is a significant drawback, given that there is a
greater probability that the horizontal surfaces will trap dust, and hinders handling when
moved. This problem also arises with the use of aliphatic resins with low molecular weight
and low glass transition temperature57, and it is therefore necessary to test these materials
to verify their behaviour.
Prior to application, the surface must be dry, well consolidated, clean and free of residues
from previous treatments. Application must be carried out in a clean and dry place, in suitable
health and safety conditions.
57
PIENA, H. (2001), Regalrez in Furniture Conservation (JAIC 2001, Vol 40, Number 1; pp.59-68) studied this phenomenon
of softening with the resin Regalrez ®1094 as a coating for furniture, in which the simple heat of his hand left imprints on
the surface. As an alternative, the author recommends the use of Regalrez® 1126, of identical composition and very similar
properties, but with a higher molecular weight and glass transition temperature that overcomes these problems.
126
6
Guidelines for preventive conservation
after treatment
Fig. 26: Securing system detail, using guillotine supports inside the transport crate of the statue of Saint
Francis of Assisi (Pedro de Mena, c. 1662). Photograph: Laura Ceballos, IPCE.
The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
Nowadays there is a great deal of information on how the processes of deterioration work, what
the elements are that place sculptures at risk and what strategies can extend their lives. Pre-
ventive conservation is a series of protocols and activities which, through the formulation and
implementation of rules and procedures, aim to reduce the damage that can occur by providing:
The enormous variety of typologies, use and contexts of sculpture make the creation of
standard rules and procedures difficult to bring about, and even dangerous. Each cultural property
(whether sculpture or sculptural group) has its particular characteristics, and a preventive conser-
vation plan should contemplate each particular case for the drawing up of specific guidelines and
manuals in accordance with the problems faced, available resources and, especially, taking into
account the education and training of the personnel in charge to whom they are directed.
–– In the case of properties adapted to environments with high relative humidity, a note is to
be made of the danger of lending them for temporary exhibitions where, owing to lower
levels of humidity, the property may suffer irreparable damage.
–– For properties stored in display cases, the design of these cases is to be reviewed: airtight-
ness, construction system, conditions of humidity, and lighting source.
–– Lighting systems are to be inspected, and solutions given to prevent the effect of direct
sunlight or heat-emitting artificial light close to the piece. The removal of concealed elec-
trical installations behind altarpieces is to be recommended.
58
It is reasonable that they should be carried out every six months after a treatment to consolidate paint in a stable environ-
ment, although this period may be reduced at the conservator´s consideration after the treatment.
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Supports and fasteners are to be inspected; these should be simple and secure and avoid direct contact
with the fabric of the building. Sculptures are never to be stacked in an exhibition or in a storage facility,
and if necessary, specific supports are to be made for pieces at risk of falling owing to their lack of stability.
Fig. 27: Custom horizontal supports in polyethylene foam for sculptures weakened by wood-boring insect attack. Provincial
Archaeological Museum of Orense (MAPOUR). Photograph: Laura Ceballos, IPCE.
Fig. 28: Physical barrier at the base of the altarpiece to prevent any mechanical damage that may be caused by movement of
people during storage of the piece. Provincial Archaeological Museum of Ourense (MAPOUR). Photograph: IPCE.
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The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
If it is necessary to write a number or code on a piece, this is to be done after treatment and
never on a polychromed surface, but on the wooden support or, where this is not possible, using tags.
Fig 29: Crate construction for the transport of the statue of Saint Francis of Assisi (Pedro de Mena, c. 1662). Photograph: Laura
Ceballos, IPCE.
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The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
The ceremonial use of sculptures, and other cultural properties of a sculptural nature (liturgi-
cal furniture, organ cases, etc.) compromise their security and conservation. Carved and poly-
chromed statues are the most mistreated type of cultural property (Aguilar Jiménez, J.A. 2011).
But the culture and tradition that surround these manifestations are also of value as intangible
heritage, and it is not always possible to deprive followers from direct contact with their most
prized properties. It is therefore necessary to make the practice of these activities compatible
with the conservation of the properties, through technical solutions specifically designed by a
conservator-restorer in agreement with users and administrators.
–– In the case of sculptures involved in processions, the support elements and securing of
the figures to floats must be checked in order to ensure their stability. Impermeable covers
should always be provided in case of rain, and the sculpture should remain in the open
air as little as possible so that the change in humidity conditions have as little effect on
the properties as possible. The use of quality replicas prevents damage to the original
and allows a ceremony to take place without such concerns. However, followers do not
always accept substitution, which they associate with the idea of “counterfeit” instead of
protection.
Fig. 30: Different mounting stages of a processional mantle over a pollero, load bearing structure specifically designed for
protecting the sculpture from the mantle´s pulling action. Virgen del Socorro mantle, belongs to Amor Confraternity, Seville.
Photograph: José Manuel Santos Madrid. Graphic archive of IAPH.
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The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
–– The large mantles, crowns, rays, starbursts and other accessories that add significant
weight to the image in a procession should on no account be directly borne by it. In
these cases, consideration should be given to load-bearing structures, such as polleros
(bracing structures), which protect the sculpture from the risk of breaking from the
pulling action.
–– Metal elements or accessory items made from precious metals (crowns, starbursts, rays,
haloes, etc.) should be prevented from coming into contact with the sculpture to prevent
rubbing on the polychromy. This can be done with inert padded materials, alone or in
combination, such as polyethylene foam, lining cloth, felt, etc.
–– The use of new materials to replace other traditional ones is acceptable provided they pre-
vent situations of risk for the conservation of the sculpture and are proven to be compat-
ible with the original materials. For example, organic fibres used in floral embellishments
can be replaced with synthetic material.
–– Combustible offerings, in the form of candles and incense, should not be used, as they
affect the quality of the air of the site, and the grime and smoke form a deposit on the
surface of the sculptures, penetrating the polychromy. Unfortunately, these traditions and
customs are deeply rooted and their continuance depends on the authority of the admin-
istrators of the church or confraternity, who have the ability to decide whether this use
compensates the deterioration that they cause. Given the risk of fire, candles cannot be
kept burning in an unsupervised public place, and it is therefore preferable to replace
them with electric replicas, which are currently good imitations and do not pose such risks.
Incense can be used in ventilated churches or open spaces, to prevent the deterioration of
sculptures and the health of people present at the ceremony.
–– Operations of moving, handling, lifting and lowering images from the float, etc. should be
properly systematised and mechanised in order to prevent the risk of fractures, falls and
other accidents. Wheeled systems should be used for horizontal displacements and pulleys
and hydraulic platform lifts for vertical displacements, adapted to each situation.
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The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
Fig. 31: Gilt metal support for iconographic elements, attached to the wrist joint screw of a mannequin type processional
Virgin. Sculpture Piedad de las Angustias, by Juan de Mesa (sculptor). Photograph: José Manuel Santos Madrid. Graphic
archive of IAPH.
6.4. Routine cleaning operations for the property and its environment
It is necessary to hold informative meetings with the maintenance and cleaning staff of the site.
These professionals will provide a realistic view of the available resources with which they carry
out their work, and depending on them, any required recommendations or modifications can be
introduced to make their work more efficient while protecting the properties.
The final treatment report is to describe the most suitable routine cleaning procedures for the
sculptures or sculptural groups. Depending to the complexity or risk posed by each piece, the
tasks to be undertaken by the maintenance staff will be established, in addition to the situations
when a conservation specialist should be called to perform them.
This document should set out precisely the extent of each action in the different cases: The type
of tasks to perform, the way to do them, suitable products depending on the case, the frequency,
and the competence of the technicians for their execution.
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6.5. Observations on the safety and security of the building and collection
The existence of a record of events, including recent ones, taking place in different places59 justi-
fies the need for establishing risk assessment plans for each institution where cultural properties
are housed and accessible to the public. These plans are very thorough documents created by
security professionals from self-assessment questionnaires60 which allow the risks to the public,
building and contents to be calculated, and create the worst possible scenario in order to assess
the ability of the institution to respond to situations, which although unlikely, should not be
neglected.
The conservation guidelines in the report are to advise the owners of properties when
failures are observed in the safety and security of the building and environment surrounding of
the properties that may affect them. This section of the report should not be an exhaustive risk
assessment plan that contemplates every supposition; it should only provide specific instructions
to improve the conditions of safety and security of properties in a clear and brief section that can
be summarised in three stages:
• Improving the barriers against intruders and the effective safekeeping of the keys
to churches without surveillance and closed to the public.
• Adequate support and securing of properties against vibrations and seismic tremors.
• Full cataloguing of the collection with detailed photographs, and priority for res-
cue in case of evacuation.
• Immediate contact with a professional rescue team for pieces damaged by fire or
water.
• Availability of a list of rescue priorities and sufficient protective material for a pos-
sible relocation of properties.
59
Earthquake in Lorca, province of Murcia, and fire and destruction of the Baroque altarpiece of the church of Muxía, Galicia,
among others.
60
http://www.mecd.gob.es/cultura-mecd/dms/mecd/cultura-mecd/areas-cultura/museos/in/publicaciones/Guia_plan_protec-
cion_colecciones.pdf
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7
Treatment report
and project
dissemination
The conservation and restoration of cultural property should conclude with a report of all the
information gathered during the intervention, contained in a document which provides:
–– A detailed description of the entire intervention process, specifying the implemented cri-
teria and methodology, and the materials, products (concentrations, scientific and trade
names), equipment and methods used, and the working conditions under which they were
used. The technical specifications for each of these materials should be attached.
–– The different interventions should be located with precision on a graphic support (map-
ping system), clearly illustrating the whole process with photographic documentation. The
format should be uniform, with fixed codes which, as in the case of the map of alterations,
should be established beforehand.
–– All study reports, chemical analyses, photographs, graphic representations, plans and vid-
eos required in the studies and documentation section.
–– Environmental study of the surroundings of the property, the maintenance schedule and
recommendations for its preventive conservation. The monitoring and supervisory pro-
cedures for the suitability and the evolution of the intervention should be presented in
detail, along with the procedures for monitoring and controlling the risks of deterioration
in accordance with the section on preventive conservation.
–– This information is to be submitted in both hard copy and digital formats. The rules for
presenting documentation are to conform to requests from the institution administering
the works, and should be deposited with at least two public documentation centres for
consultation in future interventions.
The promotion and dissemination of cultural property and its conservation enhances soci-
ety’s awareness and value of it, and is a source of attraction for visitors, which has a direct impact
on the development of the local area.
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ALTERATIONS GLOSSARY
WOODEN SCULPTURE1
1
This glossary includes only terms referring to visual indicators of alteration, meaning perceived transformations in objects involv-
ing deterioration of their appearance or function, compared to a previous condition. Possible causes or agents of this alterations
are not fully defined, except for entries concerning Biological Alteration, where insects and microorganisms causing mayor dam-
age to wooden objects on the Iberian Peninsula have been included for practical reasons. Additionally, relevant conservation
terms such as lacunae, reintegration, patina or repolychromy, have not been included as they are not specifically considered to
constitute “deterioration indicators” in polychromed wood sculpture, and are therefore described throughout the text.
The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
Warping Alabeo
Termites Termitas
Fungi Hongos
Blister Abolsamiento
Bubble Ampolla
Cupping Cazoleta
Tenting Cresta
Cleavage Levantamiento
Lifting Desprendimiento
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The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
Crackle Craquelado
Scratch Rayado
Accretion Acreción
Dirt Suciedad
Stain Mancha
Repainting Repinte
2.3. COLOR ALTERATION IN PAINT LAYER AND SUR- 2.3. ALTERACIONES CROMÁTICAS EN LA CAPA PICTÓRICA
FACE COATING Y EL ESTRATO SUPERFICIAL
Leaching Lixiviación
Chalking Pulverulencia
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The COREMANS Project Intervention criteria for altarpieces and polychrome sculpture
140
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142
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143
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144
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145
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146
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147
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148