Foz do Iguaçu begins restoration of historic Mural das Cataratas

The Fundação Cultural de Foz do Iguaçu has begun the restoration process of the historic Mural das Cataratas, a painting located within its building. The mural is part of a structure built in the 1950s.

Restorer and heritage conservation specialist Eva Zaldívar is leading the project. The initial phase involves using microscopes to analyze various layers of paint that have been applied over the original work throughout the years. Zaldívar noted that while the mural does not suffer from structural issues like cracks or humidity, the primary challenge lies in these subsequent layers of repainting.

The restoration will involve the careful, manual removal of these extra layers using scalpels and solvents to uncover the original composition. The project aims to preserve the work’s authenticity and historical memory, incorporating oral histories from those who witnessed its creation. The complete process is estimated to take approximately six months, depending on the findings during the technical analysis.