Conservation of Polychromed Wooden Altarpieces

Given their physical complexity and important social and religious functions, altarpieces pose considerable conservation challenges. The Conservation of Polychromed Wooden Altarpieces project sought to develop a sound methodological approach to the conservation of altarpieces that would consider the altarpiece in all its aspects—from the work of art itself to its built environment and social context.

• An interactive tool, Altarpieces: Illustrated Basic Terminology, provided detailed visual information on the definition and history of altarpieces, and compiled key terminology and more than 3,000 reference images to illustrate the most significant aspects of altarpieces in a multilingual format.
• The series of principles known as the “Document on Retablos” contribute toward establishing a necessary and indispensable basic methodology, in order to halt or prevent the dangers of drastic interventions or inadequate, arbitrary policies. These principles are meant to encourage feasible, sustainable interventions, so that this built heritage may be handed down to future generations. Available in English, French, and Spanish.
• A bibliography compiles key references useful for understanding the history and construction of altarpieces, the choice of appropriate research tools, causes of deterioration, and relevant intervention techniques.
• A monograph, Methodology for the Conservation of Polychromed Wooden Altarpieces, available in English and Spanish, compiles case studies from the 2002 workshop and illustrates the great diversity of material expressions, cultural contexts, and conservation approaches.

Altarpieces, also known as retablos, are unique cultural objects in which a variety of artistic, technical, and material expressions are combined. Given their physical complexity and important social and religious functions, the conservation of altarpieces presents considerable challenges. These challenges can only be met through the application of a sound methodological approach that considers the altarpiece in all its aspects—from the work of art itself to its built environment and social context.

After its project Retablo of the Church of Santo Domingo in Mexico, the Conservation Institute sought a way to build upon this work and to address the specific conservation issues associated with polychromed wooden altarpieces.

Instituto Andaluz del Patrimonio Histórico (IAPH)