Restoration of the mural painting <i>Sodruzhestvo</i> in the interior of the <i>Trud</i> sports palace in Irkutsk
The purpose of the work is to study, systematise and analyse the experience in restoring the unique Sodruzhestvo ("Commonwealth") mural, created in 1975 in the interior of the Trud ["Labour"] sports palace in Irkutsk. The author and realiser of the painting is V.G. Smagin, People's Artist of Russia, Professor of the Irkutsk National Research Technical University (INRTU). Prior to commencement of the restoration process, an assessment was made of the state of preservation of the work. The area of loss of the paint layer (mechanical damage) was about thirty percent. Next, the paint layer was cleaned of dirt and dust, plastered and sanded. Areas with deep indentations and scratches were impregnated. An important stage of the work was the compilation of a palette of basic colours. Restoration of the paint layer was carried out with acrylic paints produced by the Finnish company Tikkurila. These paints are a modern analogue of PVA tempera, the medium in which the painting was originally produced. A consistent restoration of the wall painting was completed taking all technical characteristics into account. As well as analysing its salient features, the article assesses the significance of the monumental and decorative mural painting Sodruzhestvo . A historical reference is provided concerning the construction of the Trud sports palace and the creation of murals in an ensemble with an architectural object. A structural (formal) analysis of the interior of the lobby of the Trud sports palace is presented. The compositional and functional interconnections of the architectural object and the monumental and decorative work Sodruzhestvo are revealed. Positive results of the experience in restoring the Commonwealth mural are noted. The results of the research and practical work can be useful for artists, restorers, art historians and students of art specialties.