The conservation of stained-glass windows in Latin America: A literature overview

This work brings the first inventory of existing literature on stained-glass windows from Latin America. Literature dating from 1989 to 2018 was compiled and analysed in order to summarise the current knowledge and to facilitate a better understanding of the subject. From the 22 Latin America countries, it was noticed that the majority of the studies came from Brazil, followed by Argentina and Mexico. A total of 68 studies related to stained-glass windows were analyzed and from these several works were related to the panels’ general studies (70%), while a few focused on their conservation and restoration (30%). In order to clarify this work, data concerning general studies of stained glass was classified in five typologies: artistic; documental; economic; historic and iconographic. Moreover, data regarding conservation studies of stained glass windows was divided in four typologies: intervention report, material characterization, state of conservation and methodology. Within conservation studies, both state of conservation and intervention reports are the predominant categories, with only 8 works. A synthesis of the main identified damages and restoration treatments made on stained glass window was done in order to access the knowledge gaps regarding protective measures. Finally, only few studies present an environmental approach. Therefore, further research should have this under consideration.