Conservação e restauro do nicho da escultura em granito de São Francisco de Assis

Abstract

An intervention of conservation and restoration requires prior knowledge of important data about the piece to be conserved, both in historical and technical levels, in order to select the best materials and techniques to be used. The specific context of the place where the intervention takes place must also be put into consideration. In the scope of the MA in Conservation of Cultural Property, of the Conservation Department of the Portuguese Catholic University, in Oporto, we proposed the study and conservation of St Francis altarpiece, integrated in the monumental church of St Francis, in Oporto. In order to design a proper methodology before the intervention, research on its history and technical and artistic features was undertaken. Whenever it was possible, laboratorial techniques were used to identify the original materials and techniques as well as previous restorations. Based on the conservation condition assessment, treatment consisted of: Consolidation of the polychrome layers, cleaning and consolidation of the support, polychrome surface cleaning, inpainting; application of the final coating film. Structural changes were introduced to ensure the stabilization of the altarpiece in order to preserve it for future generations. During the intervention the place remained open to visitors. Confirming the role of multidisciplinary in Conservation, it was important to exchange knowledge and experiences in various fields, such as civil engineering. For this reason, the chapter on structural changes deserves further development in this thesis. The proposed objectives were achieved, although more research is needed with regard to structural changes in altarpieces for conservation purposes, given the scarcity of publications on this topic.

Date of Award	2012
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Ana Calvo (Supervisor) & Carolina Barata (Co-Supervisor)