The City Council of La Laguna, from the area of Historical Heritage, will proceed to the restoration of the eighteenth-century mural paintings that are on the walls of the main staircase of the Consistory headquarters and that access the upper floor that leads to the anteroom to the plenary hall. The total budget for the project amounts to 30,642 euros, although a grant from the Cabildo has been obtained that covers 50%, that is, 15,321 euros, within the framework of the Insular Historical Heritage Program, according to information from the municipal area.
It is, specifically, the mural paintings made in 1764 by the painter Carlos De Acosta (1737-1765), arranged in three sections of the walls of the staircase and representing the history of the Conquest.
The objectives of this intervention are aimed at “stopping the damage and causes of its deterioration, as well as restoring those damaged areas, both by mechanical action of users or by previous interventions.” And, to this end, at the end of the restoration work, a preventive conservation plan will be drawn up, in which the parameters to be followed for the conservation of the paintings and the surveillance actions and minimum periodic interventions necessary will be established, as explained in the project file.
Regarding the state of conservation of the work, it is specified that “it is in a regular state in terms of the mural paintings on the walls, and in a deficient state, the paintings on the ceiling. Although it is not appreciated that the mortar and polychrome parts have suffered the effect of humidity”.
Specifically, in a first review, “small cracks all over the surface” have been detected, as well as “generalized superficial dirt due to environmental pollution” and it is pointed out, as “of greater importance, blows to the wall on the right, caused by possibly due to the impact of umbrellas and/or the like”. In addition, throughout this area “small mortar detachments and some punctual faults can be seen in the area where the railing joins the wall, especially in the corners,” the file includes.
In this review, “support gaps in specific areas” have also been observed. This may be due to a gap between the architectural support and the preparation mortar. Once the intervention is carried out, the severity of these cavities and their treatment will be assessed ”, it is specified. Likewise, “the existence of small cracks in the ceiling area” has also been verified.
As for the painting, it is noted that “it is made, as can be seen at first glance, with pigments and some type of glue binder, probably”, and it is noted that, as for the walls, “they are relatively preserved well, the most affected areas being those of friction at the height of the railing”. “He has had quite a few interventions, some more successful than others. Among the most evident affections we can observe colors from previous interventions that have notably changed the tonality, not allowing a correct reading of the mural or interventions themselves, which, by not being carried out in the most meticulous way possible, create visual conflicts. Another of the visible problems is the different degrees of gloss in the treated areas, many reintegrations have suffered drying or non-uniform sinking of the protection layer, which is why opaque spots can be seen”, as detailed in the report.
Regarding the paint on the roof, it is indicated that it is “the most affected” and presents “uplifts and loosening”, so “it is necessary and precise to act on it as soon as possible”.
Due to the conditions of use of the space where the murals are located, from the area it is proposed to carry out the intervention in two different phases, one for the ceiling area and another for the lower area.
Details of the work
These mural paintings made in 1764 by the painter Carlos De Acosta are arranged in three sections of the walls of the staircase. In the first central panel, in front, there is a scene of the Appearance of the Virgin of Candelaria to the Guanches and in the upper part crowned by the two patrons of the city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna: San Miguel, dressed in soldier, with spear and shield, and Saint Christopher, who holds a cane with leaves in one hand and carries the baby Jesus on his shoulders.
On the left, the Surrender of the Guanches Menceyes before Alonso Fernández de Lugo, in the spring of 1496.
And on the right, the Presentation of the Menceyes at the Court of the Catholic Monarchs Isabel I of Castile and King II of Aragon, once the conquest of Tenerife was completed.
Likewise, the main staircase ends in two red stone arches of original manufacture, in the center of which the inscription “Reinando Carlos II, (1661-1700) being Corregidor and War Captain of this Island and that of La Palma the Lieutenant Colonel Don Agustín del Castillo Ruiz de Vergara and Aldermen Captains Don Juan Franco de Castilla and Don Franco de la Guerra”.
