The Murcia Region Restoration Center, part of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Sports, has received the statue of the Holy Christ of Consolation, one of Cieza's most popular images, to undergo a comprehensive restoration process.

The sculpture, dating from the 17th century, is an example of so-called "light sculpture," as it is made using "cartapesta," a technique of Italian origin introduced in Murcia in the 15th century. This technique, based on modeling cardboard and lightweight materials, allowed for the creation of round sculptures at a lower cost and with greater portability.

Despite the existence of specialized workshops in the region during the 16th and 17th centuries, few works made of this material have survived to this day due to its fragility, which increases the artistic and heritage value of the Holy Christ of Consolation.

The Holy Christ is restored in Murcia

The Director General of Cultural Heritage, Patricio Sánchez, emphasized "the importance of preserving this unique piece of regional religious heritage. The Restoration Center thus continues its commitment to the recovery, documentation, and enhancement of works of special historical, artistic, and devotional significance."

The image is in a generally good state of preservation, although it requires technical intervention to correct alterations in its polychromy caused by the moisture of flower petals thrown at it during its processional transfer. Minor color losses caused by rubbing and scratches, typical of the image's liturgical and ceremonial use, will also be corrected.

The piece was deposited at the Restoration Center by the mayor of Cieza, Tomás Rubio Carrillo, in the presence of representatives of the Brotherhood of the Holy Christ, which worships it and takes it out in procession during Holy Week in the town, which has been declared of International Tourist Interest.