Preliminary Studies and Conservation Treatment of the Polychrome Sculpture ‘Virgen con Niño’ of the Cathedral of Valencia, Spain

This paper describes the results of a study of a polychrome sculpture of the Virgin and Child from the Cathedral of Valencia. The study used a variety of analytical techniques, including X-radiography, infrared reflectography, and ultraviolet fluorescence photography, to document the work and determine its materials and state of conservation. The study found that the sculpture had suffered significant damage, including delamination of the paint and ground layers, splitting of the wooden support, and repaints. The authors discuss the results of the study and the conservation treatment that was carried out.

Here are some of the key findings of the study:

• The sculpture is made of softwood, possibly pine or fruit wood.
• The sculpture is also covered with canvas and paint.
• The most significant damages that were found on the sculpture are delamination of the paint and ground layers, splitting of the wooden support, and repaints.
• The conservation treatment that was carried out involved consolidating the paint and ground layers, repairing the wooden support, and removing the repaints.

The paper concludes by discussing the importance of conservation treatment for polychrome sculptures.