The Chimeras That a Curtain Conceals: The Mouth Curtains Painted in Some Opera Houses of the River Plate Coast

Abstract

The painted curtains have a singular beauty, due to the fact of their large size. With approximately 100 years of life, the conservation of these pieces is in danger. Without due care and knowledge, their complete disappearance is a possible scenario.

Their dimensions, added to their function, make them very vulnerable to deterioration, which is why they require more complex conservation processes than usual. Indeed, most of the damage is generated by movements and manipulations of its use.

For this reason, it is necessary to study and quantify these assets, and understand the aesthetic proposal that they offered within the context of the theater, approaching a vision towards its origin. It is also important to recognize and identify some of the materials used in their manufacture with the ultimate goal of preserving them and transmitting their cultural heritage to the future.