The Pietà Sculpture on the Third Pillar of Charles Bridge
Created in 1859 by sculptor Emanuel Max, the Pietà sculpture depicts the scene of Christ’s body being taken down from the cross and mourned. The sculpture is made of fine-grained sandstone and stands on a low pedestal. The cross is made of wood and covered with copper. Previous restoration interventions took place between 1960 and 2013, involving the restoration of the stone, metal, and lamp.

Before restoration, the sculpture was in poor condition. The surface was covered with dirt, sulfate crusts, and biological colonization. The stone showed signs of erosion and peeling. The metal lantern was damaged, and the cross showed signs of corrosion. Based on the examination, a thorough restoration was decided upon, which included cleaning, removal of biological deposits, stone consolidation, and repairs to the metal components.

The proposed restoration intervention involved cleaning using chemical and mechanical methods, removal of biological colonization, and strengthening of the stone. Damaged parts of the sculpture’s surface were repaired, and a color retouching of the surface was carried out. The goal of the restoration was to preserve the historical appearance of the sculpture while maintaining the patina of age. The restoration work was documented and consulted with expert institutions such as the Gallery of the City of Prague and the National Heritage Institute.