Original scientific paper
Post-earthquake Structural Rehabilitation and Approach to Protecting and Preserving Wall Paintings: Church of St. Nicholas the Bishop in Jastrebarsko
Ramona Mavar
; Croatian Conservation Institute
Martina Ožanić
orcid.org/0000-0003-3935-8897
; Ministry of Culture and Media, Directorate for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, Conservation Department in Zagreb
Abstract
The historical layering of the Parish Church of St. Nicholas the Bishop in Jastrebarsko is reflected in its prominent late baroque and revivalist architectural features, as well as in the presence of multiple layers of wall paintings, including particularly significant wall paintings from the late 18th century that were, as a result of this research, attributed to Anton Archer (Zagreb, †1807), the painter residing in Zagreb. The whole interior of the church is covered with wall paintings depicting the evangelists, the Doctors of the Church, the Ascension and the Resurrection, with iconographically complex scenes from the Old and New Testaments that illustrate the Ten Commandments and Five Precepts of the Church. In addition to polychrome illusionistic depictions of architecture and stucco frames with corresponding Latin inscriptions, the uniqueness of this work is highlighted by figural scenes in medallions executed in the grisaille technique. Since the church in Jastrebarsko sustained severe damage in the 2020 earthquakes, it was necessary to first implement emergency intervention measures, followed by structural renovation. The church structure strengthening project proposed grouting from the vaults’ underside and covering the cracks with FRCM reinforcement mesh made of carbon fibers. However, this method could not be implemented equally in all areas due to the presence of the valuable wall paintings. Therefore, the approach to its protection and preservation required significant attention and individual adaptation to each specific position within the building. In parallel with the full-surface rehabilitation of the upper side of the vaults, additional conservation and restoration research was conducted in the interior. This included the examination of every crack included in the project to determine their condition, as well as the level of preservation and artistic quality of the painting, which then guided the approach to rehabilitation. Where possible, the rehabilitation approach was partially modified and adapted based on the probing results. If research revealed the presence of a valuable figural scene or similar significant finding, the rehabilitation method was to be adapted to ensure the highest level of preservation for the painting. In areas with cracks that exhibited severe structural rather than just superficial damage, where probes revealed monochromatic painted sections or repetitive elements that could easily be reconstructed, it was decided to remove the findings after documenting them and to rehabilitate the affected area by installing FRCM system nets. However, this method was not permitted in areas where exceptionally high-quality findings were discovered, such as the area above the window opening on the west wall of the choir, which was also one of the most endangered positions. In this area, the painting was preserved by detaching the painted layer together with the plaster (stacco). In areas with predominantly superficial cracks, restoration injection was applied regardless of the quality of the painted image. All the research findings were thoroughly and precisely documented (photographs and graphic documentation, tracings on transparent Melinex film at a 1:1 scale). Through mutual cooperation, all parties involved, including structural engineers, planners, contractors, restorers, owners and the competent Conservation Department in Zagreb, addressed all of the issues and adopted solutions that were primarily focused on protecting the monument’s historical and artistic values, while meeting the requirements of achieving resilient architectural heritage.
Keywords
Jastrebarsko; Church of St. Nicholas the Bishop; Anton Archer; earthquake; protection of wall paintings; structural renovation; transfer
Hrčak ID:
334861
URI
Publication date:
30.12.2024.
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