Strappo technique and the world's largest Romanesque mural collection at MNAC
A podcast episode explores the strappo technique, an Italian method developed in the mid-19th century for detaching frescoes from walls with minimal damage. In the early 20th century, specialized carpenters brought the technique to Catalonia, sparking a revolution in small Pyrenean churches. The episode features a guided tour of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC) by conservator Gemma Ylla-Català, where the world's largest collection of Romanesque mural paintings was assembled through strappo. Historian Milagros Guardia discusses the technique's complex legacy in Spain.
Key facts
- Strappo technique originated in Italy in the mid-19th century.
- The technique allowed frescoes to be removed from walls with minimal damage.
- In the early 20th century, carpenters specializing in strappo entered Spain via Catalonia.
- The technique revolutionized small churches in the Pyrenees.
- Gemma Ylla-Català is a conservator at MNAC.
- MNAC holds the world's largest collection of Romanesque mural paintings.
- The podcast episode includes a guided tour of MNAC.
- Historian Milagros Guardia provides analysis in the second part of the episode.
Entities
Artists
- Gemma Ylla-Català
- Milagros Guardia
Institutions
- Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC)
- eldiario.es
Locations
- Catalonia
- Spain
- Italy
- Pyrenees