doc. Mgr. art. Jakub Ďoubal, Ph.D.
The plaster model of "Desire" was created during the realization of the monumental monument to František Palacký in Prague, Bohemia. Before the restoration itself, a detailed restoration survey was carried out on the work, which included a detailed assessment of the condition in visible and ultra-violet light, as well as an analysis of microbiological attack, a microscopic analysis of surface treatments and impurities, as well as a determination of the presence and extent of metal fittings. The main damage was rather mechanical in nature, which was related to the construction method on a not very stable wooden structure and careless handling in the past. The plastic was missing the right leg from the knee down and the foot was missing from the left leg. Two corroded square iron rods protruded from the mass of the legs as the original fittings of the casting. In addition to these large losses, there was minor damage especially at the point of contact between the plaster and the wooden structure. The surface of the work was heavily soiled with dust deposits and soot, and the top layer of patina was powdery and rubbed off when touched. The fundamental problem was the degradation of the wooden plank structure, made of soft, not very durable spruce wood. Due to the moisture rising from the wet floor in the cellar, microbial degradation and, in some places, even complete decay of the wood occurred. It was necessary to carry out a comprehensive stabilization and conservation of the preserved original. These works included the petrification and stabilization of the wooden armature with a 5% solution of acrylic resine and the creation of a demountable auxiliary supporting stainless steel structure that will facilitate transport and allow the work to be presented in a vertical position. Based on the evaluation of the tests, the fixation of the dusting patina was carried out in three applications with a 0.5% solution of hydroxypropyl cellulose over the small pieces of Japanese. The object was disinfected with vapors of a butanol solution. A combination of soft brushes and a Cleanmaster sponge was chosen for cleaning the work based on tests. The separated fragments were glued using acrylate dispersion Acrylkleber 498 HV and minor damage was sealed with modified gypsum putty. The fundamental moment bringing fundamental new solutions was the method of reconstruction of the missing part, which was carried out using photogrammetry and 3D printing. As part of determining the concept of the works, the method of presentation of the work and the possibility of adding it while trying to observe the basic principles of restoration such as minimal intervention and the effort to preserve the authenticity of the work and its documentary values were discussed in the discussion between the client and the restorers. In this particular case, by taking a 3D image of the existing bronze realization and using software tools, it was possible to scale down to model size and accurately fit the missing parts (using a fully reversible method of fitting on magnets). The chosen method of carrying out the reconstruction using 3D printing thus fulfilled the specified specification for an easily reversible addition made of a distinguishable material, which will maximally correspond to the modeling of the rest of the work and the original solution. During the actual implementation, modern technologies were combined with traditional restoration procedures when connecting the accessory to the whole. The work also included tests of various materials and methods of 3D printing and the subsequent possibilities of connecting these accessories in order to achieve optimal properties. Due to the fundamental innovation of the entire restoration process, this case study was prepared for publication in an important international periodical with an impact (Journal of the American Institute for Conservation).
