Křivák´s Pietà | Restoration 2005/2013–2014
April 23 – October 4, 2015
Archdiocesan Museum in Olomouc | St. John the Baptist Chapel
Another exhibition in the restoration series focuses on Křivák´s Pietà –a fine exapmle of Czech gothic sculpture of the so called Beautiful Style. The Pietà belongs to the collection of the Olomouc canon Křivák and it was most probably made in the renowned Prague workshop, from which only two other sculptures have been preserved – the Pietà of Seeon (Munich, Bayerisches Nationalmuseum) and the Pietà of Jena (Jena, St. Michaels Church). We will show the process of the restoration work, during which many interesting finds were made, including the discovery of the original polychrome (colour scheme). It was gradually revealed and radically changed the look of the sculpture. We can now view this remarkable and dramatic work as it was at the time of its creation in the last decade of the 14th century.
Before restoration in 2005.
State during the shooting of overpainting on the mantle of the Virgin Mary (2005). Uncovered half white coat with blue backing.
State after restoration of the first stage (2006).
After restoration of the second phase (2014).
The face of the Virgin Mary under the first phase of restoration, the state in 2006.
Detail Hair Virgin Mary during the shooting of overpainting, uncovering the original gold leaf gilding (2014).
The face of the Virgin Mary under the second phase of restoration (2014).
Removing dirt and retouching half of the face of Christ, the original polychrome with traces of blood and painted each beard (2006).
Christs face after the restoration of the second phase (2014).
3D scanning of statue.
