Epitaphios

Object: Epitaphios (liturgical shroud)
Date: Late 19th – early 20th century
Materials: Velvet, silk, metal threads; painted inserts on canvas with a rubberised backing
Dimensions: 100 × 170 cm
Location: St. George Monastery, Götschendorf, Germany

Disinfection in a thymol chamber. Removal of drying-oil deposits, darkened varnish and later overpaint. Cleaning and consolidation of the textile support, securing of threads, replacement of missing elements. Local retouching of the painted areas and application of a protective coating.

1Before restoration. General view of the epitaphios.

2Before restoration. The face of Christ beneath the darkened coating.

3Before restoration. Detail of painting and metal-thread embroidery.

4After restoration. General view of the epitaphios.

5Central painted insert. Detail of the figure of Christ.

6Detail at the border between a painted insert and metal-thread embroidery.

7Painted inserts with the faces of the mourners. Paired detail.

10Detail of a face framed by metal-thread embroidery.

11Detail of a male face framed by metal-thread embroidery.

12Detail of a face and its textile frame.

13Face of the Mother of God. Detail of a painted insert.

14Detail of the epitaphios: painted inserts and metal-thread embroidery.