Estudio y diagnóstico de la materialidad de la Virgen del Carmen

This article presents the results of the materiality analysis of the polychrome sculpture comprised of the Virgen del Carmen with Child, which presented an advanced state of alteration resulting from an arson attack.X-rays, stratigraphic cuts, and wood, pigment and fiber analyses were carried out, not only to understand the level of structural and pictorial deterioration but to know the technique of its manufacture, since any treatment would entail the elimination of an important part of the original material.The study gave access to more information than expected and uncovered a few layers of polychrome with its pigments and fillers, defined the wood from its carving and the fiber of its petticoat. Hence, this made it possible to make a few recommendations for its restoration and to describe some phenomena of interest in order to understand how fire-related alterations affect a polychrome object.