San José, June 5, 2026. The emblematic sculpture La Flautista, by master artist Jorge Jiménez Deredia and installed at the National Theater of Costa Rica since 1997, is currently undergoing a specialized conservation process that will allow its original finish to be restored and its protection strengthened for the years ahead.
The work is being carried out by authorized restorer Gilberth Herrera, the specialist responsible for the care of Jiménez Deredia’s sculptures in the country, under the artist’s direct supervision. This intervention is made possible thanks to the joint effort between the National Theater of Costa Rica, the Ministry of Culture and Youth, and the Friends Pro-Improvements Foundation of the National Theater.
“The conservation of cultural heritage also involves protecting works of art that form part of our collective memory. This intervention in La Flautista reflects the commitment of the Ministry of Culture and Youth to the responsible safeguarding of cultural assets that enrich our public spaces and strengthen the country’s identity. It also demonstrates the value of alliances between institutions, civil society, and creators to ensure that this legacy remains accessible to future generations,” stated Jorge Rodríguez Vives, Minister of Culture and Youth.
“For the National Theater of Costa Rica, this collaborative work represents a demonstration of the institution’s commitment to the proper conservation of the artistic heritage it safeguards, as well as to respect for the vision and authorship of artists. This work seeks to counteract the deterioration agents inherent to the urban environment, such as constant exposure to atmospheric pollutants, humidity, solar radiation, and organic deposits, as well as the natural changes these cause in exposed metals,” commented Patricia Carreras Jacob, General Director of the National Theater.
For his part, Jorge Villalobos, president of the Friends Pro-Improvements Foundation of the National Theater, expressed “great satisfaction in reactivating the Foundation’s work. We begin with a work that forms part of its heritage, namely La Flautista, donated by Jorge Jiménez Deredia during the centenary celebration of the National Theater. With this intervention, we will provide the maintenance the sculpture requires after nearly three decades of exposure to environmental conditions.”
It is important to highlight that the sculpture presents no structural damage or deterioration that compromises its integrity. The work corresponds to a preventive conservation procedure aimed at renewing the patina and protecting the bronze surface against the natural effects of environmental exposure, while fully respecting the aesthetic and technical criteria defined by the artist for the piece.
Process Details
The intervention begins with a thorough cleaning of the sculptural surface to remove aged waxes, surface deposits, and accumulated environmental contaminants. This procedure is carried out through the controlled use of solvents and water, in accordance with specialized criteria for the conservation of bronze works.
Subsequently, the layers of old patina are removed until the original metal surface is reached again. Once this stage is complete, a deep cleaning of the support is performed to ensure optimal conditions for the application of the new finish.
The restoration of the patina is carried out through the application of tintasol and controlled heat directly on the bronze surface, with the aim of reproducing the original chromatic finish defined by the artist and executed during the manufacturing process of the work in Italy in the late 1990s.
As the final stage of the treatment, a protection system is applied, composed of specialized products that promote the stability and durability of the new patina, complemented by a conservation wax formulated specifically for bronze sculptures exposed to outdoor environmental conditions.
The materials used in this process were imported and supplied directly by master Jorge Jiménez Deredia, which guarantees technical compatibility with the original finishes of the work.
Furthermore, this program includes periodic specialized maintenance aimed at preserving, over the long term, the material and aesthetic integrity of the sculpture.
“After nearly 30 years of exposure to the passage of time, the work requires some touch-ups to its patina as part of its natural maintenance. I brought all the necessary products from Italy to carry out a specialized process that involves different layers of patina and protection. Thanks to this intervention, the sculpture will be able to preserve its original characteristics for many more years,” commented artist Jorge Jiménez Deredia.
