After
Before
Conserving Maxo Vanka’s Murals
Vanka’s bold murals face age and conditions that naturally occur in an old church atop a hill.
The preservation of the murals is being led by fine arts conservator Rikke Foulke, Foulke Conservation. Over the years, members of the conservation team have included Ana Alba, Patricia Buss, Teresa Duff (2014 – 2018), Cindy Fiorini, Patty Huss West and Rhonda Wozniak.
As of spring 2020, 12 murals have been completed.
2010: Pieta
2011: Mati 1941
2011: Croatian Mother Raises her Son for War
2013: Immigrant Mother Raises her Sons for American Industry
2013: Injustice
2013: Simple Family Meal
2014: Justice
2014: Crucifixion
2015: Prudence
2015: The Capitalist
2017: Christ on the Battlefield
2018: Mary on the Battlefield
Phase I, June 2018
Battlefield Scenes
Conservation of this mural was made possible by grants from Snee Reinhardt Charitable Foundation, Opportunity Fund and many generous individuals during the 2016 Pittsburgh Gives Day of Giving.
Phase II
Through the support of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and the Heinz Endowments, the Vanka Murals will complete a Keystone Planning Grant in 2021 to develop the scope, timeline and cost of Phase II of Conservation anticipated to include: the high walls and ceiling. The Main Altar mural, Mary, Queen of Croatia, is expected to be the capstone of the project.
The science of conservation
<copy to come>