Josep Cañas's 'Cap de Crist' restored

The sculpture Cap de Crist, by Josep Cañas, located in the Baluard Vidal Quadras, has been restored by the Consorci del Patrimoni de Sitges. The work suffered various damages, due to being exposed in the public street, in addition to the impact of the weather, on the seafront, and the passage of time. With the restoration, the sculpture, dated between 1969 and 71, has recovered the splendour it had lost.

The intervention process has consisted of cleaning the entire sculpture with chemical and mechanical procedures, to eliminate stains, graffiti and grease from the upper part. The mechanical removal of the cement reintegration that had been carried out in its day on the lip and moustache of the piece has also been carried out, as well as a patch that occupied the nose hole. The action has involved, at the same time, placing a bolt in one of the holes to strengthen the reintegration. The chromatic intervention applied to the created volumes and to some scratched and eroded parts has been minimal.

The work suffered losses in some parts, such as the nose. It was also worn down at the top by the effects of people's hands. Its location on the public highway makes it susceptible to various attacks.

The Cap de Crist, by Josep Cañas, was located until the mid-1990s in the Racó de la Calma. Later, it was moved a few meters below, to the Baluard Vidal Quadras, to facilitate the holding of activities in the Racó. The Maricel Museum has six sculptures and two drawings by Josep Cañas (Banyeres del Penedès, 1905 - El Vendrell, 2001). All are part of the Dr. Jesús Pérez - Rosales Collection.