DOI Heft:
Lebanon
DOI Artikel:Chmielewski, Krzysztof; Waliszewski, Tomasz: Kaftoun: conservation and restoration of the Mar Sarkis church murals interim report
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42090#0454
KAFTOUN
LEBANON
The plaster is cracked in many places,
some cracks being over 1 m long (in the
apse, for example). The original layers are
disconnected from the stone walls, mainly
due to plant roots growing behind the
plaster. The structure of the plaster in
many areas is weak and the edges of dam-
aged fragments fragile. Hammer marks
are visible on the surface of the painted
plaster.
The surface of the murals is dirty and
damaged, and in need of consolidation. In
some areas, the dirt is very strongly con-
solidated with the painting layer because
of salt crystallization on the surface. Minor
losses of the layer neighbor with larger mis-
sing parts of the composition. Even if the
cohesion of the paint layer in many places
is good, some colors (especially red) need
reinforcement.
CONSERVATION TREATMENT
The uncovered paintings were reinforced
and protected, the entire process being docu-
mented on digital camera. The structure of
the original layers of plaster was reinforced
at the edges with synthetic resin in a water
dispersion and protected with mortar. Dis-
connected fragments were consolidated with
the same synthetic resin, slaked lime mixed
with crushed marble and a mineral plaster
preparation for the purpose of consolidation.
The painting layer was cleaned of dirt,
lime and salt, both mechanically and che-
mically. The surfaces were disinfected
against fungi and mildew. Weakened and
crumbling parts of the painting layer were
reinforced with a weak synthetic resin. In
some areas (e.g. on the walls of the arches)
gauze and synthetic glue were applied to
counter further detachment of the plaster.
The same methods were used for protec-
ting detached fragments of plaster during
the uncovering of the paintings.
The uncovering, reinforcement and pro-
tection of the murals will continue concur-
rently with architectural conservation work
carried out on the church by the Lebanese
side. Important restoration dilemmas need
to be resolved: whether to reconstruct the
northern aisle, raise the once lowered vault,
and effectively insulate the walls of the
building against humidity. Only after these
works have been executed will it be possible
to take decisions concerning the aesthetic
arrangement of the church interior, taking
into account the uncovered murals and the
extent and form of their retouching.
452
LEBANON
The plaster is cracked in many places,
some cracks being over 1 m long (in the
apse, for example). The original layers are
disconnected from the stone walls, mainly
due to plant roots growing behind the
plaster. The structure of the plaster in
many areas is weak and the edges of dam-
aged fragments fragile. Hammer marks
are visible on the surface of the painted
plaster.
The surface of the murals is dirty and
damaged, and in need of consolidation. In
some areas, the dirt is very strongly con-
solidated with the painting layer because
of salt crystallization on the surface. Minor
losses of the layer neighbor with larger mis-
sing parts of the composition. Even if the
cohesion of the paint layer in many places
is good, some colors (especially red) need
reinforcement.
CONSERVATION TREATMENT
The uncovered paintings were reinforced
and protected, the entire process being docu-
mented on digital camera. The structure of
the original layers of plaster was reinforced
at the edges with synthetic resin in a water
dispersion and protected with mortar. Dis-
connected fragments were consolidated with
the same synthetic resin, slaked lime mixed
with crushed marble and a mineral plaster
preparation for the purpose of consolidation.
The painting layer was cleaned of dirt,
lime and salt, both mechanically and che-
mically. The surfaces were disinfected
against fungi and mildew. Weakened and
crumbling parts of the painting layer were
reinforced with a weak synthetic resin. In
some areas (e.g. on the walls of the arches)
gauze and synthetic glue were applied to
counter further detachment of the plaster.
The same methods were used for protec-
ting detached fragments of plaster during
the uncovering of the paintings.
The uncovering, reinforcement and pro-
tection of the murals will continue concur-
rently with architectural conservation work
carried out on the church by the Lebanese
side. Important restoration dilemmas need
to be resolved: whether to reconstruct the
northern aisle, raise the once lowered vault,
and effectively insulate the walls of the
building against humidity. Only after these
works have been executed will it be possible
to take decisions concerning the aesthetic
arrangement of the church interior, taking
into account the uncovered murals and the
extent and form of their retouching.
452