Das Manuale von Giovanni Secco Suardo von 1866/1894

Giovanni Secco Suardo’s handbook for the restoration of all kinds of paintings was published in two parts, in 1866 and 1894. It covers the three classical fields in restoration which are the mechanical, the chemical and the painter-restorer’s part. For the first time, an author described these techniques frankly, comprehensibly and with the claim of completeness. It remained the only written treasury for many of these procedures for about 80 years. In its depicted attitudes towards restoration it remains a both unique and significant document of its time. Through continuing, mostly oral transmission, it seems to have become one of the most influential sources for restoration in Germany as well as in other European countries. Nevertheless, access to the text has always been difficult - the ambitious language proved to be an insurmountable obstacle for many readers. A comment has hitherto been missing. Together with this first translation into an other language (German), the origins of the techniques and of the text are elucidated and historical methods are explained in their context.