Week 2: in the main dome

In the main dome we are facing extensive flaking of the paint layer, a heavy layer of surface soot and dirt, and a heavily overpainted surface. Our aim is to stabilise the paint layer, then clean it with molecular sponges, then an aqueous clean before removing overpaint, filling losses and cracks. Finally the damaged sections will be inpainted.

This movie is a quick view of the worksite and consolidation in process

Week 2: cleaning the painting

Cleaning the painting - the beard is cleaned to half way down

Cleaning test 1

The painting before treatment. It has two large holes, large sections of non-original over paint, a huge rectangular patch and a heavy layer of surface dirt.

Week 2: Lowering the central painting

Lowering the central canvas to ground level

Anna inspecting the back of the painting in the main dome.

Taking down the central painting from the dome

Noel undoing the screws holding the painting in place

Paul Phillips loosening the central nut

Access to the central painting and main domed ceiling was achieved on Friday the 20th. The scaffolders transfered the weight of the chandelier to the scaffolding. It was all hands on deck to take the painting down. The painting was unscrewed, and wrapped up to protect it. It was lowered with 4 ropes, 2 for the weight, one safety and one guide.

Hierarch

Anna, Melissa and Arek studying the painting before beginning a treatment.

Week 1 - Great Hierarchs, Iconostasis

Image: this image shows a half clean, half dirty section of an icon. The cotton swab shows how much dirt is actually removed.

On the ground, work has almost been completed on the three Hierarchs. These were taken down, cleaned, some minor damages touched up. A protective semi-matt varnish was applied. Finally the glass was cleaned and they are now ready for installation.

Many of the paintings in the iconostasis have been taken down for conservation. These are in the process of being cleaned. It is expected that that the icons will be cleaned, stabilised and re-installed gradually over the next few weeks.

Week 1 - Panagia - Semi Dome

Image: This image is showing a section of the wall paintings after a cleaning test

This week the team; Adam, Anna, Arek, Matteo, Melissa and Noel arrived from Sydney to begin work on the conservation of the paintings within the church.

The scaffolding was already up in the sanctuary and work was immediately started in stabilising the paint layer. The consolidation process in basic terms involves applying a conservation grade glue behind the paint flakes with a fine paint brush or syringe and laying them back into position.
The next stage was to clean the painting and tests began into how exactly to do this.

With time a significant layer of grime has accumulated, generally a smoke and dust mixture quite common in churches. The cleaning will be carried out in two parts, first dry cleaning with a molecular sponge to lift away the lightly adhered dirt. Secondly with a water based cleaning agent that removes the remaining dirt.

The tests have been very promising and the paint comes up quite beautifully. This coming week Noel and Matteo will be spend cleaning the paint surface, filling losses and re-touching damages.

Video: Paint layer consolidation