Restoration Thyssen

It strives to restore the integrity of works by applying treatments that prolong the life of these cultural assets and to remedy the damage caused by the passage of time and the ageing of materials.

Discover the Restaurabits

Secrets and curiosities of the works
Detalle de la imagen visible de la obra “En la sombrerería”, de Edgar Degas
Restaurabit
Mastery of colour in Degas

The pastel is superbly executed “At the Milliner’s”. Degas recreates the different textures of the hats and the women’s clothing, in which feathers, flowers and raffia are distinguishable, in a lively and vibrant manner using these coloured sticks. We can also see how the colours are applied in various layers without mixing, even though our eyes perceive them to be blended.
Image of the reverse side of Degas' painting, “At the Milliner's”
Restaurabit
The turquoise-blue back

For this work “At the Milliner’s”, Degas used a semi-industrially mounted support consisting of an ordinary paperboard base some 7 mm thick, reinforced on both sides with turquoise or blue-green paper.

 
Detail of the X-ray of the painting by Degas, “At the Milliner's”
Restaurabit
A button "At the Milliner’s"

X-radiography detected a very curious element trapped in this work: a button.

In the nineteenth century paperboards were produced using a coarse wood pulp.  The mixture could contain traces of other materials such as cloth, esparto grass, straw, or even fishing nets.
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Technical Studies and Conservation Work

Conservation/ restoration projects and technical studies reflect the results of the examinations carried out by the department. This work helps glean new information and rediscover the pieces in the permanent collection
Edgar Degas. At the Milliner’s. Technical study of a pastel
Technical studies and special display
Edgar Degas. At the Milliner’s. Technical study of a pastel
The museum’s Restoration and Conservation Department has spent over a year conducting a technical study of Edgar Degas’s "At the Milliner’s" made possible by the sponsorship of the Fundación María Cristina Masaveu Peterson. The aim of this work was to gain an overall understanding of the pastel painting technique used by Degas.
Recovering the light. Restoration of Waterloo Bridge, by André Derain
Restoration and technical study
Recovering the light. Restoration of Waterloo Bridge, by André Derain
The restoration of Derain’s "Waterloo Bridge" was an exhaustive process which lasted 15 months and was aimed at recovering the colours and luminosity of this masterpiece. As a result, the painting has gained depth and recovered the vibrant light and vivid colours that characterise this great painter’s works.
Self-Portrait by Gabriele Münter. Technical study
Technical study
Self-Portrait by Gabriele Münter. Technical study
In connection with the Gabriele Münter retrospective at the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, the department of conservation/ restoration decided to study the works by this artist in the collection to learn more about her technique.
Fra Angelico, The Virgin of Humility.
Restoration and technical study
Fra Angelico, The Virgin of Humility.
Results and conclusions of the technical studies conducted on "The Virgin of Humility", one of Fra Angelico’s most iconic paintings.
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Meet the Restoration team

Research projects

Approach the restoration process

Visits to the workshop
Visits to the workshop
Aimed at professionals and postgraduate and master's degree students
The visit shows how professional conservation and restoration work is carried out in the institutional environment through the various activities involved and complements academic training with a view to the students' professional future.   
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Guided virtual tour
Guided virtual tour
A virtual experience for all audiences
A tour of the works from the point of view of the museum's restoration team. You will learn about some of the treatments that are carried out on the paintings and we will reveal secrets and curiosities that hide a selection of our masterpieces.
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La obra de Ghirlandaio Retrato de Giovanna Tornabuoni, en el taller de restauración
Supports restoration projects
Collaborate actively with the museum in its studies and projects
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