Edomex: unauthorized restoration in Aculco chapel denounced

On March 31, 2022, historian Javier Lara Bayón denounced through his social networks the unauthorized manipulation of a mural in the Chapel of the Ex Hacienda de Arroyozarco in Aculco, State of Mexico. Shortly after, the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) announced that the intervention of the century-old work of art would be officially suspended.

On his Twitter account, the historian accused the fact with indignation:

He compared the initial finish that, he says, had left by professional restorers in 1997, with that done by the young artist. He also pointed out that the work “which may be irreversibly damaging this heritage” was continuing at the moment in progress.

In Lara Bayón's denunciation, in addition to expressing his sadness at the situation, he called on Luis Antonio Huitrón Santoyo, director of the INAH State of Mexico, and Diego Prieto, director general of INAH, to stop the attack that was taking place in the place for which he himself, said he felt a special affection, a feeling that had caused him even made to write a book entitled “Arroyozaco. Inland door.”

A few hours later, personnel specializing in the conservation of historical monuments and legal affairs, attached to the INAH Centre, carried out an inspection visit to the Chapel of the Former Hacienda in Arroyozarco, in which they confirmed that an intervention was carried out for which there was no authorization whatsoever. That is why they decided to proceed by suspending the works.

In an Informative Bulletin, INAH learned about the damage that was initially seen on the mural due to the incorrect handling of material:

The institution commented that over the next few days, experts in conservation and restoration of the INAH State of Mexico Center will begin to carry out a detailed diagnosis of the intervention, as well as the proposal for compensation for damages.

They also assured that local ecclesiastical authorities and the Diocese of Atlacomulco pledged to meet the requirements of the INAH in order to prevent further damage to heritage structures, which, they said, are an important part of the history of the Royal Way of Tierra Adentro.

The chapel of the hacienda de Arroyozarco, formerly dedicated to Our Lady of Loreto, is an 18th century building built by Jesuit monks, on whose site remains of mural painting from the century in which it was built were discovered in 1997. Among these remains was the baroque auction that the artist intervened.

The viceregal era left in Mexico an invaluable range of culture and artistic heritage. Such is the case of Real de Tierra Adentro, the route that connects ancient Tenochtitlan, now Mexico City, with the northern border, passing through cities such as Querétaro, Zacatecas, Durango and Chihuahua.

The area of Aculco, with 44 thousand inhabitants, is located on this route, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2010. Up to 60 destinations through which it was circulating also enjoy this international classification.

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