Initiated in 1988 and completed about a decade later, WMF’s project focused on conserving the Portada de la Majestad to its original splendor. (...)
Initiated in 1988 and completed about a decade later, WMF’s project focused on conserving the Portada de la Majestad to its original splendor. Subjected to a host of destructive elements including fire, centuries of exposure to wind and sun, and the accumulation of several layers of repainting, the portal required a variety of topical interventions, including cleaning and the consolidation of its stone support. The conservation team focused extensively on addressing the accumulation of paint layers. Much of the original 13th-century paint layer had been largely preserved and was rediscovered through the careful removal of the later polychromy strata. In areas where the original paint was undetected, the surface paint was only partially stripped to reveal a more modern layer of polychromy. These measures improved the appearance of the sculpture and allowed the beauty of the original carving to be enjoyed. The restoration project culminated in the application of a protective layer to the polychromy surface.
