Zwischen historisch gewachsenem Zustand und ästhetischem Empfinden

Restaurierung eines stark überarbeiteten spätgotischen Skulpturenpaars

Abstract

Between historical condition and aesthetic sensibility. Restoration of a heavily reworked pair of late Gothic sculptures
In the context of a diploma thesis, the largely overpainted polychrome wooden sculptures of the Apostles Peter and Paul from the depot of the Schottenstift in Vienna were examined for an exhibition, restored and put into a state readable for the viewer. The focus was on dealing respectfully with previous restorations of the 19th century. Before the current restoration, four different phases of polychromy were visible simultaneously on both sculptures. The only partly preserved original polychromy, more recent layers of overpainting with patination and unpainted wooden additions did not result in an aesthetic coherence, but made the sculptures look like objects from the 19th century. The article discusses various restoration concepts in which the preservation of the overpaintings was in the foreground. Finally, a concept was developed and implemented that allows a reversible optical integration of the partially problematic appearance while preserving all paint layers.