Wandbildabnahmen in der Dorfkirche Wolkenberg, deren Neuaufbringung und Restaurierung

Abstract

Detaching the mural paintings of the church of Wolkenberg, their remounting and restoration

Wolkenberg was situated at the edge of Welzow-South, an area of opencast mining near Spremberg. Wolkenberg was completely demolished in 1989 to 1993. One of the last remaining buildings was the medieval church form the 15th century, blasted in December 1993. In late summer 1993 during only few weeks, the walls were examined and 21 square metres of painted plaster were recovered. The paintings were executed in calcium casein, they probably date from the end of the 16th century. They show scenes and figures from the Old and New Testament. Their transfer and restoration took three years, aiming at their re-attachment with slaked lime, a largely reversible plaster. Various supports were developed and tested, they are described in detail. After their restoration, the paintings are exhibited in Spremberg Castle, the Niederlausitzer Heimatmuseum since August 1997.