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
Bastidor de la obra de Jackson Pollock, "Marrón y plata I"
Restaurabit
An expansion-bolt stretcher

Brown and Silver I by Jackson Pollock is mounted on a type of stretcher not commonly found in the Thyssen-Bornemisza collection: an expansion-bolt stretcher, a system that differs from those generally found in artworks. 
Comparative detail of the visible image and the infrared reflectography of “The Death of Jacinto” by Tiepolo
Restaurabit
The beautiful Apollo

Infrared reflectography reveals the preparatory drawing or sketch concealed by the layers of paint. It shows how the artist progressively made changes to the composition. 
Detail in macro-photography of the painting by Canaletto, “The Piazza San Marco in Venice”
Restaurabit
Discovering the invisible

Did you know that these curious cats were hidden in the painting? It was quite a surprise to discover them during our examinations. Macrophotography enabled us to observe many details that would have gone unnoticed to the naked eye, such as these small felines roaming the rooftops of St Mark’s Square in Venice.
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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
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.
Carpaccio’s Knight
Restoration and technical study
Carpaccio’s Knight
Carpaccio’s Knight is a painting that is as dazzling as it is enigmatic. We still do not know the man’s identity, even though historians have been coming up with various hypothesis for the past century. The most recent proposal, put forward by Professor Augusto Gentili, is that he is a Venetian captain stationed at a naval base in Greece who was defeated by the Turks and beheaded in Istanbul.
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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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