MEXICO CITY.- The Colonial painting “Virgen de la Asuncion” (Virgin of Assumption) returned in July 29th 2009 to Izucar de Matamoros community, in Puebla, after a long restoration process conducted by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH). The 18th century religious painting was received with joy by Izucar inhabitants, after a robbery attempt severely damaged it in 2006. The patron virgin arrived just in time for the Assumption celebrations in August 15th.

Lilia Rivero Webber, head of INAH National Coordination for Cultural Heritage Conservation (CNCPC) handed over the artwork to religious authorities at Izucar de Matamoros, Herminio Lopez Camarillo and Pedro Hernandez Muñoz.

She explained that reintegrating the 280 fragments detached from the pictorial layer was an arduous work, and dispelled the doubts regarding the painting not recovering its original aspect.

“I appreciate the trust placed in the Institute for us to return Virgen de la Asuncion her splendor, a labor that took one year and a half to be fulfilled”, declared the officer, after remarking the INAH response to communities’ requests for their cultural heritage conservation.

Specialist Cristina Noguera leaded the work that took place at the Easel Painting Workshop at CNCPC, and recalled that fumigation and cleaning took place at the temple, as well as reinforcement of the altarpiece base before replacing the oil painting.

The 1.80 by 2 meters artwork was stolen in December 2006; burglars detached it from the frame and rolled it, but the pictorial layer fell off its linen support and they abandoned it.