The Painting of The Pejačević Family in the Park of the Virovitica Mansion – Experiences from Conservation Practice

Za potrebe izložbe Likovna baština grofova Pejačević trebalo je pripremiti sliku Obitelj Pejačević u perivoju virovitičkog dvorca, autora Friedricha Johanna Gottlieba Liedera. Konzervatorsko-restauratorske radove na slici izvodili su studenti Odsjeka za konzerviranje i restauriranje umjetnina Akademije likovnih umjetnosti Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, od 2010. do 2012. godine. Cilj programa bio je prikazati sve specifičnosti u radu vezane uz zaštitu građe muzejsko-galerijskih ustanova u Hrvatskoj. Budući da je posebnost te štafelajne slike upravo njezina veličina, svi su zahvati izvedeni u sklopu terenske nastave koja je za studente izuzetno vrijedno iskustvo. Na taj način oni izravno sudjeluju u konzervatorsko-restauratorskim radovima na umjetnini te u neposrednom kontaktu s prirodnom i kulturnom okolinom objekta stječu teorijska i praktična znanja i vještine.The painting of The Pejačević Family in the Park of the Virovitica Mansion by Friedrich Johann Gottlieb Lieder needed to be prepared for the exhibition The Art Heritage of the Pejačević Family. Conservation work on the painting was performed by students of the Department for Art Conservation and Restoration of the Academy of Fine Arts, University of Zagreb, from 2010 to 2012, as part of their field study. Since this easel painting stands out with its large size, all treatments were performed as part of a field study, which constitutes a very valuable experience to the students. It was a way for them to directly engage in the conservation of the piece, and while in close contact with natural and cultural surroundings of the mansion, to acquire theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Based on the results of the 2009 preliminary investigations carried out by the head and mentor of the field study, Tamara Ukrainčik, a plan and programme of work was devised so that the students would be able to carry it out, as it was their first encounter with a painting of such characteristics and, to them, an unusually large format. Students took part in the programme throughout the period of three years, ten workdays per year, which is the longest period they are allowed absence from the Academy, due to other curricular requirements. The conservation work was completed in 2013, just prior to finalizing the preparations for the exhibition. Eighteen senior years’ students, specializing in painting, worked on the piece. The aim of the programme was to demonstrate all features of work associated with the protection of artefacts stored in museums and galleries in Croatia. The anticipated outcome of the programme was to establish a good relation of present-day students, and future conservators, towards the objects/artworks kept by the museums and galleries