About the Workshop

About the Workshop

The workshop for non-traditional restoration methods was opened in 2002. It researches and develops methods for restoring works of art that do not fall under the "classical" definitions of Russian restoration and which require a special approach. Special significance is given to work with archaeological wood. For example, a large-scale project to restore Ancient Egyptian polychrome sarcophagi was carried out by the workshop in collaboration with restorers from the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts. In addition, the workshop's specialists continue to work on the restoration and conservation of ancient Russian polychrome sculptures on various bases (mostly on wood) using non-traditional (not commonly used) technologies. Another area of work that is being developed by the workshop is the possible issues associated with restoring works of contemporary fine art, which has become increasingly important in recent years. Specifically, the workshop's staff restore contemporary wooden sculptures.

Alongside its restoration activities, the workshop develops scientific, research and experimental areas. The very essence of the workshop's activities is to continually develop new, quite literally "non-traditional" restoration methods, which also includes testing and classifying them.

An important sphere of our experts' interests is the study, conservation and restoration of works of art produced using East Asian lacquer as part of the workshop's specialism – polychrome wood-based works.