He saw the French Revolution and several wars: the altar of the parish church of Saint-Jacques, in Fontgombault, will be restored over several weeks. “The altar needs sprucing up because it’s filthy” concedes the 1st deputy mayor, Marie Bossu. “It has traces of candles, insects have attacked the wood, and the humidity is not helping matters.”
An altar dating from the 17th century
Work lasting approximately five weeks therefore began on Monday, May 9. They are made by local artisans, including a specialized restorer, Sabine de Freitas, from the Muro dell’Arte conservatory.
The altar is made up of two parts, which would date from two different periods. The upper part is said to be almost four hundred years old, the upper one dates from the 19th century. “The delicate part of the intervention is that it is a set that has been very, very well fixed” emphasizes the restorer. “It cannot be dismantled and transferred to the workshop. We will have to work in situ and therefore set up areas to be able to work a little at height.“
“Our goal is not to redo a brand new altar”
The first quotes to restore this heritage item date back to 2001. “We took over the file three or four years ago” continues Marie Bossu. “It is the duty of the parish and the town hall to pass on, to keep this piece of heritage in good condition so that in 50 years, it will still be there.“
The idea is to do a “shy” restoration explains Sabine De Freitas. “Our goal is not to make a new altar. This altar has a story to tell, so it has to stay with its story. It will be necessary to respect the work of the artist at the start.“
– Xavier Ponroy
“We absolutely do not feel the soul of an artist“says the restaurateur.The word restorer is nice, but in fact, you feel like a doctor. That is to say that for us, each object or each monumental painting is a patient that must be treated. That’s why we diagnose, and we have to find the best treatment so that he continues to live.“
The goal is for the altar to continue to stand the test of time with a few scars. It is with great humility that we will intervene – Sabine De Freitas, specialist restorer
A restoration at nearly 27,000 euros
Such a restoration has a cost: 26,872 euros. The sum is supported by the Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs (8957.54 €), the Departmental Council (7837.85 €), the municipality of Fontgombault (6718.15 €), the Region (2239.38 €). A subscription from the Heritage Foundation also helped (€1119.70). It is still possible to make donations on the Foundation’s website by clicking here.