Basilica of St. Josaphat – Interior Restoration

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Built: 1871-1901

Original Architect: Erhard Brielmaier

Awards:

Painting and Decorating Contractors of America “Picture it Painted Professionally” Award
Classical America Arthur Ross Stewardship Award of Restoration
Historic Milwaukee Preservation Award
Milwaukee Historic Preservation Committee Preservation Award
State Historical Society of Wisconsin Historic Preservation Certificate of Commendation

Challenge

Restore the interior of the Basilica in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to its 1926 decorative grandeur, originally executed by Conrad Schmitt Studios and Roman artist Professor Gonippo Raggi.

Solution

Five conservators spent 30 days investigating the original decorative scheme. Once the surfaces were documented, 1,100 frames of scaffolding were erected and the interior restoration began.

Various decorative techniques used included gilding, glazing, marbleizing, stenciling and trompe l’oeil painting.

In conjunction with restoring the decoration, Conrad Schmitt Studios also restored this holy Catholic interior’s stained glass windows. Imported from Austria in 1902, the average window contained more than 200 pieces of cracked or broken glass. The restoration of the windows spanned 11,200 hours.

The scope of the project also included the conservation of murals, statues, and stations of the cross, re-gilding the baldachino, and marbleizing of the columns.