Project

The Convent of San Agustín in Salamanca was built by Jesuit missionaries in the 17th century. For the church, sculptor Pedro José de Rojas created a huge, wooden Baroque. Changes in humidity and temperature over time had caused the organic adhesive used to bond the wooden altarpiece couplings to weaken, compromising the structural stability of the entire altarpiece. (...)

The Convent of San Agustín in Salamanca was built by Jesuit missionaries in the 17th century. For the church, sculptor Pedro José de Rojas created a huge, wooden Baroque. Changes in humidity and temperature over time had caused the organic adhesive used to bond the wooden altarpiece couplings to weaken, compromising the structural stability of the entire altarpiece. Insect infestation had damaged the figures on the altarpiece and a film of dust was actively degrading the polychrome portions of the surface. As a temporary structural solution to prevent collapse, several sections of the altarpiece were supported by a piercing metal wire, which had detracted from the overall presentation.