About the project

The collection of the 16th-19th centuries Western European stained glass panels is one of the least known ones at the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts. The museum obtained its first panels in the 1920s, but since then they have never been exhibited or conserved.

In 2018, systematic restoration and conservation work began. The goal was not just to make the glass panels exhibitable, but also to conduct a profound and detailed study of the techniques and technologies used to create the Swiss and German stained glass panels of the 16th-17th centuries, as well as the history of the previous restoration treatments — in certain cases the latter could help establish the provenance of the pieces.

The condition of the glass panels varies — from small cracks to grave defects of lead cames or glass deterioration. Some panels are also missing their original elements; restoring those elements is one of the most demanding and sensitive procedures in conservation. Therefore, complex and detailed research (in terms of art history, technologies and techniques) of all the glass panels in the collection is required before conservation treatments can proceed.

The project will culminate in a series of exhibitions and publications.

The information will be updated as the project progresses