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.

 
Detalle de la radiografía de la obra de Degas, “En la sombrerería”
Restaurabit
Un botón “En la sombrerería”

La radiografía nos ha permitido descubrir un elemento muy curioso atrapado en esta obra: un botón.

En la producción de cartones del siglo XIX se empleaba una pasta de celulosa poco refinada.  En la mezcla se podían encontrar restos de otros materiales como telas, esparto, paja o incluso redes de pesca.
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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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