Sector for Restoration of Stained-Glass Panels

Sector leader, expert restorer Yelena Ì. Êrylova
Òålephone: (812) 710-95-16
E-mail: elkrylova@mail.ru

The first complex restoration of the State Hermitage's collection of stained-glass panels was organized in the Laboratory for Scientific Restoration of Works of Applied Art in 1976. Besides carrying out essential restoration work, the laboratory staff began to carry out annual preventive inspections and cosmetic treatment of the collection, which includes around 400 exhibits. The major part of the museum collection consists of small-size stained-glass panels which were made by masters of Germany, Switzerland, France and The Netherlands in the end of the 15th - early 17th centuries. Stained-glass panels of this type decorated the windows of town halls, guild buildings and private homes in Western Europe.

From August 1946 to June 2002 the storerooms of the State Hermitage held a complex of 111stained-glass panels which is unique in the level of its preservation. This was created by German masters in the 14th century for the altar part of the Church of the Virgin Mary (Marienkirche) in Frankfurt-on-Oder. In 2001 the museum undertook preparatory work on the restoration and conservation of the stained-glass panels and prepared them for public display. For the purpose of this task, special premises were equipped - a Laboratory for Restoration of Stained-Glass Panels, and a team was assembled consisting of three restorers specializing in stained glass, three researchers who are specialists in medieval art, and a chemist who is a specialist in glass.

Laboratory investigations into the condition of the glass elements and lead binding elements have made it possible to determine in a scientific way the allowable scope for restoration work and to choose the needed methodologies and materials. Working to very short deadlines, the restorers were able to complete highly complex work to restore stained-glass panels in the complex. They successfully solved the task of harmoniously combining genuine 14th century glass with glass from the time of a restoration in 1830 and also with new glass from the latest restoration. The missing glass elements were cut and processed in accordance with traditional technologies for painting stained-glass panels - using colouring achieved by special glass paints and firing in a muffle kiln to give them a medieval look.

In April 2002 an exhibition of these 15 stained-glass panels from the Marienkirche was held in the State Hermitage and in June of the same year, following a decision of the State Duma, the entire complex of 111 stained-glass panels was shipped to Germany.

At present the Sector for Restoration of Stained-Glass Panels has four specialists working on restoration assignments. Together with chemists from the State Hermitage, they conduct research into the corrosion of glass and materials used in the restoration of stained glass. Scientific treatment of the restoration processes and illustrative material is carried out in the laboratory at a high professional level.

Restoration programmes:

1. The restoration of stained glass from the Marienkirche in Frankfurt an der Oder

In the laboratory
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Stained-glass window from the Marienkirche: The Original Sin
Germany, Frankfurt-am-Oder. 14th century
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Stained-glass window from the Marienkirche: Carrying the Cross
Germany, Frankfurt-am-Oder. 14th century
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In the process of restoration
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Stained-glass window: St Barbara
France. Circa 1508-1510
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