The restoration in the parish is being done with the technique of gold leaf burnishing, and so far three niches have been completed
Image of the Virgin of Guadalupe, possibly from the 18th century, in her recently restored niche.
Sofía Medeles (Ajijic, Jal.)– Over the past few months the niches holding religious icons and images in the parish church of San Andrés Apóstol have been covered with gold leaf. The pottery technique used for the láminas de oro involves applying and burnishing the applique to give it a brilliant shiny surface.
Fernando and Hugo, workers who live in the Archdiocese of Guadalajara, told Laguna that they have worked on the main altarpiece, the niche of the Virgin of Guadalupe – an image that possibly dates from the 18th century-, and are currently working on the niche of the Sacred Heart, immediately on the left side of the altar.
«For the moment we are doing well, but the work on the other niches will depend on donors financing it,” said Fernando, who said that the work is being paid for by benefactors from Ajijic and another part is being paid for by the parish. Fernando added that by the year 2022 the site where the image of the Sacred Heart rests will be finished, and they will learn whether to continue or stop for the time being.
The current coordinator of cultural heritage of Chapala, Antonio Velazco, a restorer and conservator by profession, said that the approximate age of the image of the Virgin Guadalupe was 18th century He said hat maintenance actions such as removing dust from an image, are allowed, however, restoration must be authorized and subsequently supervised by the National Institute of Anthropology and History. However, because of the care and precautions taken for the image’s removal and storage to protect it from work in progress, permission was not needed from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).
Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan
Los comentarios están cerrados.
© 2016. Todos los derechos reservados. Semanario de la Ribera de Chapala