Academic thesis
| Jana Sabo: | From wall to canvas: conservation and restoration of a removed Gothic mural painting | Back |
| Language: | Original - Translation | |
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| Abstract: | This study focuses on the conservation and restoration of a 19th-century detached wall painting on a canvas support of unknown origin. The focus was centered on two main aspects: conservation measures and the development of a presentation concept that considers the complex condition of the object and its integration into the museum castle of Kreuzenstein. Due to the local climatic conditions and the painting’s eventful history, the artwork exhibited extensive damage, including a severely degraded canvas, unstable paint layers, and large-scale losses. Scientific analyses (e.g., X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), light microscopy, and multispectral imaging) confirmed a mixed fresco-secco technique and revealed previously lost inscriptions. Conservation treatments included stabilizing the tacking edges, securing plaster fragments and paint layers, and mounting the painting onto a new support. The development of a suitable presentation strategy enhanced the aesthetic impact of the painting while preserving its historical integrity as a detached fragment. Furthermore, this study highlights a research gap: the conservation of detached wall paintings on canvas supports presents a unique challenge due to the combination of organic and inorganic materials. This complicates both conservation efforts and long-term display, particularly in non-climate-controlled environments. To date, there are few case studies that explore whether and under what conditions wall paintings should remain on this support, how their conservation can be ensured, and what viable alternatives exist. Thus, the findings of this thesis contribute not only to the preservation of this specific object but also raise broader questions regarding the conservation and presentation of detached wall paintings. |
| Keywords: | Detached wall painting, conservation, restoration, presentation, canvas support, Burg Kreuzenstein, technical analysis, fresco-secco technique |
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