Restoration of the main altar
The restorers have been returning the altar the original design which combines gold and copper.
The restaoration works on the baroque Main Altar began in 2006. During the last two years, the team of restorers under the supevision of Daniela Talavera worked on the middle part of the altar and the statues. They restored its marble imitation wooden architecture, the statues and the golden ornaments. The final design of the altar combines gold and copper. This is the original colouring which the altar had at the time of its origin in the first quarter of the 18th century and the use of this colouring is unique in Central Europe.
Gold and copper – restoration of the original colours of the altar
Several years ago, before the restoration of this church’s interior commenced, I was asked, as an expert, to outline the overall concept of the restoration of the interior as a whole as well as the restoration of all the individual altars.
Restoration is a complex process seeking to preserve the monument itself, its essence, while looking for the path to its original presentation and howthe way it looked at the time of its creation. All the movable monuments housed in this church have undergone multiple changes since their placement in the 17th century. In particular we need to mention the colour of polychromes in the sculptural decoration of the individual altars. The restoration process and the search for the right path were always preceded by an extensive discussion with the representatives of the National Heritage Institute. All the restoration surveys used as a basis for the initial approach were analysed in great detail.
The latter layers of paint needed to be removed from the sculptural decoration of the altars – the figures of the saints and angels – the polychrome layers in the face areas in particular. In many places, gilding had been applied on a new underlying chalk layer. The layer was too thick and as a consequence it completely hid and totally degraded the original expressive quality of the carving and at the same time covered the fragmentary original layer on which copper foil was laid. It was decided that the gilding – probably applied in the 19th century – would be removed and the original copper foil restored.
Doc. Petr Kuthan, sculptor and restorer
What has been done? – Overview of the restoration works on the main altar
- 2006 – 2009 The large baroque painting under the arch including the decorated frame
- 2010 – 2012 Emblems of the Discalced Carmelites above the side entrances
- 2011 – 2015 Four vases in the upper part
- 2013 – 2015 Complete restoration of the upper part including the painting under the altar´s crown
- 2016 Vase on the left side of the moulding
- 2017 Statues
- 2017 – 2018 Pilars and mouldings including the golden decorations
- 2018 Vase on the left side of the mouldin
The lower part of the altar is being restored in 2019.
The total costs of these restoration works are 660,000 EUR so far.
The restoration is financed by the Church of the Infant Jesus from the donations of many individuals and with support of the City of Prague (2017 – 48,000 EUR, 2018 – 88,000 EUR, 2019 – 48,000 EUR) and the Czech Ministry of Culture (2006-2018 54,000 EUR).
