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.
Layers reacting to stripping solution.
Removal of all surface coatings, the original crisp carved lines are evident.
Layers of paint and cementicious coating obscure detail, crack and spall the stone.
Deteriorating layers note evidence of the original gold finish.
Hand painting completed by our skilled artisans.