Academic thesis
| Anna-Sophia Laube: | 17th century Renaissance wall paintings in the "Herrensaal" of the St. Jacobi Church in Hamburg, Investigation and development of a conservation and restoration approach. | back |
| Language: | Original - Translation | |
| Overview: |
|
|
| Abstract: | The subject of this diploma thesis are the 16th and 17th century wall paintings in the so-called "Herrensaal" of the St. Jacobi Church in Hamburg. The hall is located in a 15th century annex, which is the only surviving example of Gothic secular architecture in Hamburg. The wall paintings were first rediscovered in the 1990s, until which point, they had been hidden behind baroque canvas wall coverings that completely line the interior of the hall. Two areas are visible today, a medieval portrait from around 1500 on the north wall and a unique example of Renaissance painting from the 17th century on the south wall. In both cases, the painting technology is secco painting on plaster consisting of high-fired gypsum, a regional peculiarity. The other wall surfaces also bear witness to the diverse history of use of the hall, which contains a multitude of decorative elements, both fragmentary and cohesive. The development of an extensive conservation and restoration approach based on the investigation of the wall painting and its condition aims to safeguard the paintings as a historic document and preserve their original character. The investigation was focused on the grotesque painting as a coherent decorative scheme on the south wall. The main topics in the development of a conservation approach for remedial intervention were consolidation of the paint layer, cleaning, injection of grout and stabilization of the gypsum plaster, the development of a suitable fill material and the handling of paint layers on heavily salt-contaminated substrates. The development of a sensitive and systematic approach for the re-integration of lacunae was also essential due to the extensive loss of original material to the wall paintings. |
| Keywords: | Herrensaal, grotesque painting, Renaissance Northern Germany, high-fired gypsum, plaster fills, grouting, gypsum suspension, magnesium sulphate, passivation, temporary hydrophobization and sealing, menthol, reintegration. |
| Details: |
|
The Hornemann Institute offers only the information displayed here. For further information or copies of academic work, please contact the author or - if there is no contact provided - the secretariats of the respective faculties.