The examples of detachment of wall paintings practices on Department for Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art

Author: Mia Prahin
Mentor: Suzana Damiani, MA, Associate Professor

Department for Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art, Academy of Fine Arts, Zagreb (Croatia)
Study programme: Integrated study programme, Conservation and Restoration of Art
Specialization: Paintings (4th year of study)

Abstract

PRAHIN MiaFrom the beginning of the study programme on the Department for Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art, part of the subject on Conservation and restoration of wall paintings is the exercise of transferring wall paintings. In this presentation different techniques of detachment of wall paintings and transfer to a new carriers are presented, including occuring problems. Detachment of wall paintings from the original carrier and their transfer are measures that have a major impact on wall painting and architectural objects which they are integral parts of. This fundamentally changes the composition and structure of the original work of art. Detachment and transfer are dangerous, drastic and irreversibile methods that severely affect the physical composition, material structure and aesthetic characteristics of wall paintings. Therefore, these procedures are justified only in extreme cases when none of the treatment options in situ are possible. The exercises of wall paintings transfers are performed on paintings that are painted by students of previus generations. They cover all three ways of detachment: stacco a massello (stripping the paint layer, layer of plaster and part of carrier), stacco (stripping the paint layer with a plaster layer) and strappo (stripping only painted layer). In this presentation only selected examples are shown derived using different materials and methods, various problems that occurred during work and ways in which they can be avoided.

Short biography

MIA PRAHIN (Zadar1994) She finished School for fashion and design, and in 2013 began studies at the Department for Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art on the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb. She currently working on painting Unknown saint by unknown artist from 19th century, private owner (mentor: T. Ukrainčik, MA, Assoc. Prof.). She participated in the development of graphic documentation of the facade of the church of St. Michael in Ston and also in cleaning graffiti on wall paintings in the castle Brezovica and restoration of wall paintings in the castle Lukavec (mentor: Suzana Damiani, MA, Assoc. Prof.).