Abstract
The aim of the article is to acquaint restorers and researchers of Buddhist painting on canvas with traditional restoration methods combined with modern equipment and materials that are used in the Laboratory of Scientific Restoration of Oriental Painting of the State Hermitage Museum. The relevance of this work is dictated by the development restoration practice of Buddhist painting in recent decades. It is shown in the study how the emergence of new high-tech materials, equipment and methods of studying monuments allows the restorer to work with them more effectively. Also in this paper, the results of the study and study of two thangkas are shown. Comprehensive the thangka study conducted by the specialists of research laboratories made it possible to choose the right restoration techniques. In addition, a brief work of historical information about the iconography and technology of creating a thangka is provided. The restoration techniques and their choices are analyzed in the article. Also the ethical problems related to the permissible degree of interference in the structure of the monument are examined. Using the example of comparing approaches to the restoration of two Buddhist thangkas restored in different years: the “Dorje Lakpa Buddhist Image” thangka in 2018, and the “Mahakala blue, 6-handed, 3-eyed, standing on an elephant with a human figure” thangka in 2021, various techniques are described. The analysis of the restoration measures carried out includes a description of the studies carried out on the monuments before the restoration, and methods of cleaning the surface, strengthening the paint layer, replenishing the soil, leveling the base and replenishing the losses of the paint layer. The article shows the practical significance and effectiveness of the use of various materials, equipment and methods of restoration of Buddhist painting. In conclusion, the results of the restoration of both monuments are summarized.
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