Restoring the Restorations? The Treatment of Medieval Wall Paintings and Architectural Polychromy during the 19th and 20th Century

A conference by the ICOMOS National Committee of Germany in Collaboration with the Hornemann Institute and with the Department of Conservation and Restoration at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hildesheim/Holzminden/Göttingen

9th - 12th May 2001 | Hildesheim

Against the randomness in dealing with testimonies of restoration history - a conference of the German National Committee of ICOMOS with the Hornemann Institute and the course of studies in restoration of the University of Applied Sciences Hildesheim/Holzminden/Göttingen from May 9 to 12, 2001 in Hildesheim.

Today, art historians, monument conservators and restorers are concerned with works of art from the Middle Ages whose appearance and substance have been significantly influenced by restoration interventions of the 19th and 20th centuries. This applies in particular to medieval wall paintings and architectural settings, whose more or less lossy uncovering was usually followed by thorough restorations. Extensive retouching and overpainting were in turn the trigger for purifying "re-restorations" around the middle of the 20th century, which generally led to further losses of original substance and renewed additions.
The interpretation of medieval wall paintings and architectural settings by 19th and 20th century restorers is now mostly recognized as part of the object's history and considered worthy of preservation. From a conservation point of view, however, the restoration materials used at that time must be evaluated quite critically. Renowned scientists will examine this problem from all sides in Hildesheim. Current examples and reports by restorers, monument conservators, art historians and natural scientists from various German states and neighboring European countries will help to improve knowledge of historical restoration methods and techniques.

By exchanging and systematizing theoretical considerations and practical experience, the aim is to take the randomness out of today's handling of evidence of restoration history.