Cleaning of Gilded Wood Workshop 2025: Brazil
Submitted by Marina Herriges on 13 Mar 2025
August 25–29, 2025
Belo Horizonte and Catas Altas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Wooden gilded surfaces, such as those found in churches across Brazil, were created with a multitude of layers, encompassing animal glue–based grounds and colored bole, gold or silver leaf, and colored varnishes. Over time grime, soot from candles, bats, and bird droppings accumulate on these delicate decorative surfaces. Since these surfaces are typically fragile and highly sensitive to water, cleaning can be a challenging endeavor, with treatment options potentially resulting in irremediable damage or even surface loss. The task can become even more challenging when restoration campaigns involve materials that may need to be removed, such as metal-based paints used to imitate gold, or modern commercial white overpaints.
Workshop Content
Offered for the first time in Brazil, this workshop will introduce participants to a range of cleaning systems to remove dirt as well as overpaint on water-sensitive gilded surfaces. It will also provide participants a guide into the assessment of surfaces, from their nature to their condition, allowing them to decide what cleaning options can be considered and implemented. Time will also be allocated to discuss strategies to advocate for treatment approaches with the various stakeholders involved in the preservation of these surfaces, such as priests, community members, organizations evaluating treatment proposals.