8 Identification of tools used in an 18th century Portuguese altarpiece: Comparative study using contemporary illustrations KEYWORDS: altarpiece; woodcarving; tools; 18th century; contemporary illustrations. This work was developed during the curricular internship, integrated in the Conservation and Restoration Master’s Degree of the Polytechnic Institute of Tomar (Portugal), that took place in the private company Cinábrio – Conservação e Restauro. The studied altarpiece belongs to the Sacristy of the Convent of Santa Clara’s church, in Oporto, Portugal. It’s from the second half of the 18th century and combines a late-baroque structure with rococo woodcarving decorations. It presents different polychromies imitating various types of coloured stones in the background areas, while the carved decorations are mordant gilded. A holistic comprehension of the altarpiece is necessary and for that, one of the most important features is the knowledge of the tools and techniques used in its manufacture. The main goal of this presentation is the identification of the tools used in the making of this piece, through the comparison with contemporary illustrations (18th century). The back of the boards was observed, and its marks documented and compared with the illustrations. These illustrations mainly show work processes and tools used in the carpentry and sculpture workshops. Though these images aren’t specially related to the assemblers and woodcarvers, we believe that the way they worked was very similar. It’s important to see conservation and restoration interventions as an opportunity to study artworks with greater depth. This study enlightens a group of details that aren’t observable at first sight because it is necessary to see the back of the piece which is, in most altarpieces, only possible with its total or partial dismantling. It also helps in the process of knowledge, which is, in our opinion, a fundamental step in the decision-making process about the methodology to adopt during a conservation and restoration intervention. nunomrt.1996[at]gmail.com
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