The grant, part of the Island Programme for Historical Heritage, represents an investment of €70,000
The Cabildo of Tenerife, through the Department of Historical Heritage, is restoring the railing of the choir at the Convent of Santa Catalina de Siena in La Laguna. This initiative is part of the grants allocated by the Island Corporation under the Island Programme for Historical Heritage 2023-2027, amounting to an investment of €70,000.
Isabel de Esteban, the Island Director of Historical Heritage, stated, “The Cabildo has developed a clear policy focused on the restoration, conservation, and promotion of our historical assets, aiming to enhance the rich cultural legacy of the island. This policy encourages respect for our past, promotes citizen participation, and stimulates the socioeconomic environment of our communities.”
Details of the Restoration
The choir railings, both upper and lower, are located in the Church of the Monastery of Santa Catalina de Siena, which has been declared a Cultural Asset of Interest as a monument. The restoration will recover one of the most comprehensive and interesting propaganda programmes from the 17th century and the early 12th century.
The artistic ensemble of the choir railing is composed of various elements, material types, and execution techniques, each presenting a series of distinct pathologies requiring differentiated and individualised treatment, as outlined in the submitted project. The primary criterion for this intervention will be that of conservation-restoration, undertaking the work with the utmost respect for the original piece while applying necessary measures to maintain the artwork in an adequate state of preservation. Additionally, the project proposes restoration treatments aimed at recovering lost areas of support or polychromy, following preliminary studies and analyses to achieve a proper understanding of the artwork once the work is completed.
Furthermore, the authorship of the ornamentation of the railing is attributed to the renowned artist, Cristóbal Hernández Quintana.
