Canary Islands Parliament Restores Long-Lost Manuel González Méndez Mural
The Canary Islands Parliament is restoring a long-lost mural by artist Manuel González Méndez, returning the historic session hall to its original 1906 design after the work remained hidden for over four decades.
The Canary Islands Parliament is celebrating a major milestone in preserving its artistic heritage with the restoration of a long-lost work by Manuel González Méndez. The piece, created by the La Palma artist, had been hidden from view for over forty years after being covered up during renovations in the 1980s.
This project is about more than just aesthetics; it restores a vital part of the original 1906 design of the parliamentary session hall. Astrid Pérez, President of the Chamber, emphasized that this effort is essential to protecting the archipelago’s history and ensuring its cultural legacy is passed down to future generations.
The restoration was carefully timed to coincide with the parliamentary recess, as the work required complex scaffolding within the plenary hall. The team is currently finishing the final stages, which include securing the original paint, touching up areas where color had faded, and applying a protective seal to ensure the artwork lasts.
Once completed in the coming weeks, the project will not only return a significant work by González Méndez to the public eye but also restore the session hall to its intended historical appearance.