MEXICO CITY.- A little bit of "organized chaos" and a whole lot of dedication have brought a new gleam to centuries-old treasures within Mexico City's Metropolitan Cathedral. In a remarkable collaboration, students and faculty from Mexico's National School of Conservation, Restoration and Museography (ENCRyM) have completed vital work on the stunning altarpieces in the Chapel of the Holy Angels.

In just a week and a half, a team primarily made up of around twenty fourth-semester students, working alongside experienced academics and scholarship holders, tackled the intricate task of cleaning and stabilizing the altarpieces. These ornate structures, some towering 12 meters high and 9 meters wide, are a central feature of the chapel, known for its harmonious beauty and as a place where baptisms are held.

This project marks a significant first: the cathedral complex, a national treasure, opening its doors to ENCRyM for on-site conservation and restoration work. Academics Mercedes Murguía Meca, Luis Amaro Cavada, and Yolanda Madrid Alanís, who guided the students, emphasized the importance of this trust from the church authorities, viewing it as a strong endorsement for ENCRyM's 57-year legacy in training conservation experts.

Monsignor Carlos Enrique Samariego López, Auxiliary Bishop of the Primatial Archdiocese of Mexico, expressed his delight at the outcome, noting how the work has restored the radiance of the altarpieces' gilded and polychrome sculptures. He also sees this project as a hopeful first step in a larger effort to preserve the cathedral's many chapels, with the hope of continued collaboration with ENCRyM.

For those watching from outside the cordoned-off area, the scene was a fascinating spectacle. Students, clad in overalls and safety gear, moved across towering scaffolding – nine towers, each 11 meters tall – like busy ants. Individually or in pairs, they meticulously cleaned every detail, from the lower sections (known as the banco or predella) where medallions tell the story of the altarpieces' patronage, to the highest points adorned with seraphim and cherubs.

Using vacuums and solvent-soaked swabs, they carefully removed ingrained dirt that had accumulated over centuries, particularly in hard-to-reach areas. They also addressed blistering on some painted surfaces, a lingering effect from a fire in 1967.

Professor Mercedes Murguía shared some of the history, explaining that while the chapel was finished around 1665, the original altarpieces were lost in a fire in 1711. The current Solomonic-style altarpieces were installed two years later, likely created by Manuel de Nava, and include paintings from the workshop of renowned artist Juan Correa.

The professor highlighted that while the immediate goal was cleaning and stabilization, the project also served as crucial hands-on training for the students. A detailed assessment of the altarpieces' condition and their construction techniques was also carried out. This information will be used to propose a more extensive restoration plan to the church authorities for potential future work.

This successful intervention is a testament to the collaborative efforts between ENCRyM-INAH and the religious authorities, including José Antonio Carballo García, Dean of the Chapter and Rector of the Metropolitan Cathedral, Monsignor Carlos Enrique Samariego, and Claudia Alejandra Garza Villegas from the Mexican Episcopal Conference. It underscores the vital role of skilled conservation in preserving Mexico's rich cultural and historical heritage.