Nossa Senhora da Conceição: um caso de remoção de repintura contribuindo para atribuição de autoria

Abstract

The image of Our Lady of Conception venerated in the Church of San Michael in Cajuru, district of Sao Joao del-Rei, is an excellent example of religious sculpture produced in the state of Minas Gerais during the transition from the 18^ and 19^ century. This sculpture was carved out of cedar and is formal and stylistic characteristics belong to the recoco period. A number of layers of painting cover the original one lessening its carving quality and style, turning it incompatible with polychromatic aspect of the other images from the same period display in the same church. Extensive examination such as stratigraphic studies, material analysis, solubility tests, and X-rays revealed the good condition of conservation of the original polychromatic woric, its high technical quality, compatibility with the carving, and mainly the feasibility to remove the repaints without compromising tile original polychrome. After the image's restoration, the carving and the polychrome work complement each other allowing a much clear understanding of the piece. Compared to the other pieces displayed in the same church with quite similar characteristics, it is possible to attribute the authorship of the carving to the Master of the Cajuru and the polychrome to the artist named Joaquim Jose da Natividade.