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Grotto After
Grotto Before
The Felician Sisters, a centuries-old Christian community with origins in Poland, contacted Marion Restoration to preserve and restore their grotto and statuary at their Chicago location.
All of the pre-cast concrete statues were covered in multiple cementitious layers and paint, and most were deteriorating. Marion Restoration removed all layers of paint with a chemical stripper. This process revealed the original colors and finishes for replication. Our artisans then hand painted each statue back to their historic appearance using a breathable lime-based paint.
Stripping of Multiple Coating Layers
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- Layers reacting to stripping solution.
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- Removal of all surface coatings, the original crisp carved lines are evident.
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- Layers of paint and cementitious coating obscure detail, crack and spall the stone.
Meticulous Restoration
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- Deteriorating layers note evidence of the original gold finish.
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- Hand painting completed by our skilled artisans.
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- Felician Sisters Work – Recreating Statue