I am from a small community in Ohio Our church when built about 85 years ago was all done in fresco. All walls and vertical surfaces have a simple pounced type pattern. There are a few exceptions where they did ornate text scriptures. the arch heading into the domed area of the sacrasty has far more elaborate designs. The dome itself is the most inportant area with beautiful artwork. The 85 years have been hard on the building. There has been a roof leak and some cracking. The church council like most churches is interested in brightening the place up and at one time suggested painting the whole church white. Many have no hesitation covering up the frescos. I
am a painter and also greatly appreciate the beauty of the church as it now stands. I have been in other parishes wher they have painted over everything destroying the character of the church. I would like to see the church remain as it is and have volunteered to work on restoration but at this point have no clue where or how to start. Any suggestions on direction, books, or any other resources would be greatly appreciated. If by the end of the summer I can not prove to the council we can restore and clean it up I fear the frescos will be covered over.

I thank you all for your help.

JOhn

Hi John,

Thank you for posting!

The first steps should be documenting the frescoes, taking photoes (post them here) of the frescoes and researching the artist(s) names as well as history behind them.

Restorations are time consuming and costly, so community involment and "landmarking" the frescoes will be esential to gather support finatial and else.

Our Fresco Studio School has joined forces and studios with leading fresco restorer - Nathan Zakheim (more at http://truefresco.org) and we would be glad to discuss your needs and help with what we can.

As an artist you may consider taking our Professional Fresco Workshop to get the idea and principles of fresco restoration (our workshop includes Nathan Zakheim's seminar)

http://www.truefresco.com/workshop/west_coast_fresco_workshops.html

our direct # (310) 337-2783

Although the name eludes me now we know the artist. He did 2 churches in Ohio. one of the parishioners when she was a child posed on the scaffolding for the angel. The frescos have been photographed and are in a pamphlet available at the church for tours. I realise that this will take many hours but if not done some on council will paint over everything to brighten the place up. Yea progress. IN the winter I have a lot of free time to devote to a project like this. Even if I start in an area where the walls were just covered with simple paterns and leave the detailed work for a while that would delay and probably stop any chance of painting over the works.

I am at my winter location right now but will be at the island in 28 days. I will take as many digital pictures as you would like and send as soon as I get there. If there are special things I need It is easier to round them up while i am still on the mainland.

I will write soon.

John

Hello John,

I fear i can't be of great help, although I would love to help you in practise, but I read this book about restoring fresco's, a sort of bible in my opinion, with lots of clear pictures in it and all that can be wrong with fresco's explained in it and suggestions as well of how to repair it. In most cases it seems not too difficult to do so (but i am not a professional restorer)

It is written by two italians and someone from Belgium,
P Mora, L Mora and P Phillipot (or maybe philippot, I can't remember) . It is called `conservation of wallpaintings' and it's from 1994.

i hope you will succeed to convince the council.