ALTARPIECE OF OUR LADY OF BETHLEHEM

POLYCHROME DECORATION 

Before the restoration work that is currently being undertaken (2013-2014), the state of the polychrome decoration was very confusing: different layers of colour dating from different periods co-existed on the figures, from the XV century polychrome decoration and the polychrome decoration re-applied in the XVIII century when the Baroque structure was incorporated - and which, however, respects certain original areas -  to the extremely deficient re-decoration applied when restoration work was carried out in the XX century.

Those fragments of original polychrome decoration that may be observed are of high quality: matte gilt on mordant in clothes and hair, red and green glazes, pale matte flesh tones used in figures with finely-drawn features and background landscapes of green vegetation painted on gold.

Original decorative techniques:

• Areas of red, tear-shaped dots on matte gilt.

• Continuous applied brocade also applied as borders.