John Hook

Mural conservation, Lizac, France

L’Eglise de St Martial and St Etienne is in the village of Lizac, 80 kilometres north of Toulouse and 10 kilometres from the town of Moissac, part of the historic pilgrimage route of Santiago de Compostela.

The church sits in the midst of a rich farming valley, its spire a prominent landmark. The entire interior was decorated by the Studio of Louis Cazottes who ran a Jesuit College of Painting in the town of Montricoux. The Stations of the Cross were finished in 1885, and the secco murals in 1891.

Conservation project

Cross section analysis began in 2008 where the paint structure was confirmed, pH and conductivity confirming the medium as oil (secco) and there was very little salinity which led to a treatment proposal. 

Over seven years, involving three trips to France from 2012 to 2019, I conserved four mural panels which form the backdrop to the main altar.

The scenes depicted The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes, Pentecost, Saint Martial Evangelising and Jesus welcomes the Children.

My thanks to Chantel (project manager) and Jacques Niclausse, Pere Louis Salesse, the Reaney family, Amanda Young, the Gayette family and the Mayor and citizens of Lizac for their generosity and support.

I hope that this conservation project may continue in the future as there are four other higher set murals.