Church Murals

Crucifixion, mural by Constantino Brumidi

Crucifixion mural by Constantino Brumidi; detail during conservation

Crucifixion mural by Constantino Brumidi; detail after conservation

The Church
of The Holy
Innocents, NYC

Constantino Brumidi
"Crucifiction"
Oil on Plaster
1870's
40' x 20'

Constatino Brumidi, celebrated 19th Century artist, is best known for his vast works in the United States Capitol Building in Washington D.C. Hired to create this monumental mural of the Crucifixation over the altar of Holy Innocents, his work was obscured by multiple restorations, performed by lesser artists, over the course of a century. Meticulous removal of multiple layers of unoriginal materials, including veiling grime, discolored varnish layers, and massive overpaint, revealed the true beauty and vibrancy of Brumidi's artwork.

Notre Dame de Chicago cupola mural before conservation

Notre Dame de Chicago cupola after conservation

Notre Dame de Chicago cupola mural; detail before conservation

Notre Dame de Chicago cupola mural; detail after conservation

Notre Dame
de Chicago

Arthur Vittur
"Biblical Scene"
1929
Oil on Plaster
2000 square-foot dome

The 2000 square ft. cupola mural in Notre Dame de Chicago suffered from a devastating fire in 1978. Confronted by the damage caused by fire, smoke, water, and an unsuccessfull attempt at restoration in the 1980's, Parma conserved the cupola by painstaking consolidation, cleaning, and inpainting.

PHOTOS:
The entire cupola before and after conservation, and details before and after conservation

St. Alfonsus
Church, Chicago

Oil on Plaster
1952

Decades ago, during an interior renovation of the church, two murals over the left and right transepts were whitewashed (painted-over). Cleaning tests conducted by Parma confirmed that the murals were still extant underneath. The works were slowly uncovered, ultimately by removing four distinct layers of overpaint. Miraculously, the newly uncovered murals were in excellent condition.

PHOTOS:

Top: Spot test revealing the mural was extant and in good condition

Middle: Mural one half uncovered

Bottom: One of the two murals uncovered and conserved