In 2016, the conservation-restoration interventions of the Pietà were carried out which is displayed in room 14 of the Museum, on the occasion of its presentation at the exhibition:  THE PILLARS OF EUROPE. The Middle Ages in the collection of the British Museum  (Caixa Fòrum Madrid, Barcelona and Zaragoza, from October 2016 to October 2017)

Mercy

Around 1500

Polychrome wood carving

106 x 76 x 32 cm

MFM 1066

The conservation-restoration process carried out has allowed the recovery of the chromaticism of the work and a better understanding of the layers of polychromy it presents, which correspond to different moments in its history.

A preliminary examination of the work has been carried out using level light, ultraviolet light and observation under the stereoscopic microscope. And several samples of polychromy have been analyzed in order to know the overlaps of layers and to determine the elements of origin and those that correspond to repolychromies made over time.

The conservation-restoration interventions have been the following:

• Punctual consolidation of weak elements of the wooden support. 

• Fixation of the polychromy in danger of detachment.

• Superficial cleaning of generalized dirt that distorted the chromaticism and volumetry of the piece, which has made it possible to recover mainly the pink tone of the carnations and the white of Christ's lock.

• Removal of repainting carried out in previous interventions.

• Pictorial reintegration by attenuating the loss of main points of polychromy.