In this thesis, we addressed the issue of cleaning water-sensitive stucco marble surfaces,
focusing on the altar by Niklas Reißmayer in the Church of St. Florian in Ljubljana as the
central case study. By conducting scientific analyses and experimental testing of various
cleaning systems—including aqueous solutions in free form, and their confined forms in
various gels (commercial hydrogels and polysaccharide gelling agents)—we evaluated their
capacity to remove dirt and their impact on surface gloss. Special emphasis was placed on
ease of use and preparation, cost and availability of the materials used, as well as adherence to
ethical principles of conservation. The results showed that certain gel-based systems maintain
a good balance between cleaning effectiveness and impact on gloss, while others cause
greater dulling of the surface. The final analysis provides a well-founded recommendation for
the selection of cleaning methods for stucco marble surfaces on the studied altar.
|
