PATZCUARO.- After 80 years in obscurity, the original paintings depicting saints and martyrs that adorn the presbytery of the Temple of Our Lady of the Assumption in Santa María Huiramangaro, Michoacán, have been revealed. Thanks to a skilled team of restoration professionals, these four-century-old artworks have been painstakingly restored, bringing their vibrant history back to life.

Collaborative Efforts Yield Stunning Results

The restoration project was a collaborative effort between the Mexican Government’s Ministry of Culture, the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), the INAH Michoacán Center, the Pátzcuaro City Council, the Adopt a Work of Art Committee, and the local community. This partnership exemplifies the commitment to preserving the country’s cultural heritage.

Laura Elena Lelo de Larrea López, a restoration expert from the INAH Michoacán Center and supervisor of the project, emphasized the significance of the work. “This project allowed us to recover an extraordinary piece of art on the horizontal covering of the main altar while uncovering the rich artistic, technical, and iconographic evolution that characterizes this religious site.”

Layers of History Revealed

The restoration process unveiled three distinct layers of artwork. The oldest, dating back to the 16th century, features intricate tempera paintings of saints, including St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Catherine of Alexandria, and St. Agatha of Catania. These works also include a depiction of the Holy Family, with the child Jesus in a Franciscan habit.

These images focus on the theme of martyrdom, celebrating the lives of early Christian converts who achieved divine salvation through their sacrifices. According to Lelo de Larrea, this rare hagiography is particularly notable in Michoacán, as such themes fell out of favor in the 17th century when depictions of the Virgin Mary, Christ, or specific saints became more prevalent.

Technical Mastery Across Centuries

The restoration also revealed the evolution of artistic techniques over the centuries. The 16th-century tempera figures were adorned in the 17th century with vibrant oil paint, enhancing the visual depth of the clothing with shades of green and orange. By the 20th century, acrylic paint had been applied to restore faces and other details, albeit altering the original design.

Restorers Joselia Cedeño Paredes and Gabriela Fernanda Contreras González led the intricate work. Their efforts included cleaning accumulated dust and bird droppings, fumigating against wood-eating insects, consolidating damaged sections with rabbit glue, inserting wooden patches, and removing modern overpainting to reveal the original layers.

Restoring the Temple’s Legacy

In addition to the artwork, structural elements such as beams, moldings, and Franciscan motifs were restored. This marked a significant milestone in preserving the Temple’s religious and cultural heritage. However, challenges remain, including the restoration of an additional side altarpiece and the ceiling of the nave, which still conceals its colonial-era polychrome.

The successful unveiling of these historic artworks not only enriches the cultural fabric of Michoacán but also highlights the importance of community-driven efforts in preserving Mexico’s artistic legacy. With continued dedication, this landmark restoration sets the stage for further exploration and preservation of the region’s religious heritage.