The Parish of San Sebastián in Alcalá de Guadaíra sees how a painting of the Most Holy Christ of Burgos, dated in the second half of the 17th century, recovers its original state thanks to municipal grants for the conservation of movable heritage.
The pictorial work 'Santo Cristo de Burgos', an oil painting on linen canvas stretched on a Flemish pine frame, belongs to the Parish of San Sebastián in Alcalá de Guadaíra. It is a piece that can be dated to the second half of the 17th century, which was placed on the walls of the temple in the mid-20th century, when the parish was rebuilt. The passage of time and conservation conditions had left the work in a very deteriorated state, to the point that its artistic value was barely appreciable.
The delegate for Culture, Heritage and Museums of the Alcalá de Guadaíra City Council, Christopher Rivas, visited the workshop of local restorer Alejandro Redondo to see firsthand the work being carried out by restorer Victoria Fernández. During the visit, Rivas highlighted that “with this intervention, the pictorial work will recover all its original splendour.”
A meticulous restoration process
The restoration work includes several phases. Firstly, actions are being taken to consolidate the work and halt deterioration. Subsequently, the original appearance will be restored by removing dirt from the pictorial film, reintegrating losses of support, preparation and colour, and removing previous interventions that mask the original. The process addresses the issues comprehensively, starting with the support and continuing through preparation, polychromy and finishes.
This intervention is part of the municipal aid programme for the recovery of movable heritage of interest. The programme aims to encourage private investment in restoration and conservation work, through co-financing of each of the beneficiary projects. Additionally, it is complemented by the Preventive Conservation Cycle, promoted by the Culture, Heritage and Museums delegation in collaboration with the Council of Brotherhoods and Cofradías of Alcalá, which aims to disseminate the importance of conservation to avoid the need for restoration.
A shared commitment to local heritage
Christopher Rivas emphasised during his visit “the shared commitment between owners, institutions and brotherhoods to preserve and disseminate heritage as an essential part of our collective identity.” The restoration of this 17th-century work not only returns a piece of great value to the parish but also strengthens the bond of the people of Alcalá with their history and artistic legacy.
For the residents of Alcalá de Guadaíra, the recovery of this painting represents an opportunity to rediscover a work that is part of the religious and cultural heritage of the locality. The parish of San Sebastián, located in the centre of the municipality, is a reference point for the faithful and for lovers of sacred art. With the restoration, it is hoped that the image of Christ of Burgos will once again shine in all its splendour, allowing visitors to appreciate the details of a painting that has remained hidden for decades under dirt and unfortunate interventions.
The Alcalá de Guadaíra City Council, through these grants, demonstrates its commitment to the conservation of local heritage. Investment in restoration not only has cultural value but also generates a positive impact on tourism and the local economy, by enhancing resources that can attract visitors interested in art and history. Furthermore, the preventive conservation cycle offers workshops and talks for citizens to learn how to care for heritage, fostering a culture of preservation.
The restoration work continues in Alejandro Redondo's workshop, and it is expected that the work will be completed in the coming months. Once finished, the painting will return to the Parish of San Sebastián, where it can be viewed by the faithful and visitors. The Culture delegation has announced that a presentation event will be organised to showcase the results of the intervention and explain the process followed.
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