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Restoration of frescoes of the founders of Serbian Christianity
Final professional report
The centuries-old existence of a people and its
cherished relics on the fresco walls have seen times both trying and
rewarding. We are blessed to have been both witnesses and agents to a
transformation whereby the countenance of our Holy Father, St. Sava,
shines with a renewed glow and brilliance, as do those of all the
Nemanjic statesmen.
It is a distinct pleasure to claim that such an
important task has been brought to a successful completion, while
realizing we are a rare generation empowered to see images of the holy
dynasts as they appeared at the time these sacred walls were first
painted.
Though less in scope, the subtask of conservation of
critical fresco portions has been also completed as planned.
Fundamentally, the potential erosion of the vulnerable material has
been arrested and checked. The most sensitive structural parts have
been strengthened, and the encrusted surface deposits of various
origins removed. The cleaning allowed the color palette to restore its
original values, and some presentation solutions have been replaced by
more appropriate alternatives. Furthermore, this project also opened
some new theoretical issues in the domain of fresco restoration and
conservation, serving in the process as both a vehicle for students'
academic advancement and a springboard for expanded future work.
A sincere love of treasures transcending the divide
between spiritual and material, coupled with a professional attitude
and exemplary teamwork - together all brought this project to fruition,
along with the understanding that a worthwhile task was performed not
only to the benefit of the Serbian national heritage , but to the
enrichment of world civilization alike.
[ Shown on the left are
details from the monastic robes of St. Simeon the Myrrhflowing, now
visible for the first time in centuries, following the removal of
encrusted surface deposits.]
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