CLIENTS AND PROJECTS

As a conservator-restorer, I work independently for institutions, specialized companies, private clients, artists and publishers.

    • Museus e Monumentos de Portugal

    • Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation

    • Caixa Geral de Depósitos Foundation - Culturgest

    • EDP Foundation

    • Parques de Sintra - Monte da Lua, S.A.

    • Banco de Portugal

    • Collection of the Centro Cultural de Belém (CCB)

    • Museum of Contemporary Art - MAC/CCB

    • Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology - MAAT

    • Design Museum - MUDE

    • Atelier - Júlio Pomar Museum

    • Museum of Santa Joana of Aveiro

    • Bragança City Council

    • Lisbon City Council

    • Tavira City Council

    • Jerónimo Martins S.A.

    • Faz Parte - Conservation and Restoration

    • GAMUT

    • Joana Vasconcelos - Unidade Infinita. LTDA

  • Albrecht Dürer

    Joan Miró

    Domingos Sequeira

    Alberto Carneiro

    Lourdes de Castro

    Almada Negreiros

    Jean Dubufette

    Maria Helena Vieira da Silva

    Paula Rego

    Bordalo Pinheiro

    Álvaro Siza Vieira

    Julião Sarmento

    Júlio Pomar

    Allen Jones

    John Hoyland

    Mário Cesariny

    Joana Vasconcelos

    Ângelo de Sousa

    Álvaro Lapa

    Guy de Cointet

    Ana Hatherley

    Irma Blank

    José escada

  • ~ Golden Japanese folding screen, with six panels, in Namban style, 19th century. Private Collection - Private studio in Lisbon, specialized in the conservation and restoration of paper and books. *

    ~ Te Deum Laudamus - Musical manuscript by António Teixeira, 1734. Igreja do Loreto - Private studio in Lisbon, specialized in conservation and restoration of paper and books.

    ~ General Chronicle of Spain, MS. 1. Blue series. Illuminated Codex, 1344. Lisbon Academy of Sciences. *

    ~ Manuelino Charter of the Vila de Cascais. Codex on illuminated and handwritten parchment, 1514. Cascais City Council - Argo Conservation and Restoration. **

    ~ Crónica Geral de Espanha, Ms. 1. Blue Series. Illuminated codex, 1344. Academy of Sciences of Lisbon.

    ~ Terrestrial and Celestial Globes manufactured by John Addison in 1825 e 1926, and purchased in 1829 for the Aula Nautica do Porto. Project developed in José de Figueiredo Laboratory - Museums and Monuments of Portugal. The globes belong to the National Museum of History and Science -UP of Porto **

    ~ 20 Chinese paintings and calligraphies from the Camilo Pessanha Collection, 14th to 19th centuries, Qing Dynasty. National Museum of Machado de Castro - Museu do Oriente - José de Figueiredo Laboratory - Museums and Monuments of Portugal. **

    ~ Four Gospels MS 21. 13th- century illuminated Coptic Codex on Arabic paper,. Coptic Monastery of Deir al Surian - Levantine Foundation. **

    ~ Nova Totius Terrarum Orbis Tabula by Frederik de Wit. Illuminated monumental atlas on paper with verdigris, 1660. National Library of Portugal. **

    * Project developed by a team of professional conservator-restorers and conservation scientists.

    * Project developed in an institutional context.

TESTIMONIALS

  • "Professionally demanding, Isabel reciprocates in each intervention the best of herself. In addition to her rigor, seriousness and knowledge orientation, aimed for excellent results, I see a complete dedication in her practice - body, gesture and thought. In what was apparently simple, we shared the extraordinary; in what was apparently complex, we shared lightness. She has always revealed an ethical and a rare elevation towards the act of intervention as well as a technical and scientific posture, only possible through her broad experience and knowledge."

    — Inês Correia

    Conservator-restorer of manuscripts and historical bindings.

  • "I had the pleasure of counting on Isabel's collaboration as a Conservator-Restorer, on a particularly complex project under very difficult conditions, and I was impressed with her performance. Isabel is an exceptionally rigorous and competent professional, demonstrating deep technical knowledge in Conservation and Restoration of works of art, with special emphasis on paper and books. I highlight her friendliness, organization and availability, as well as the ability to propose solutions in problem solving, all while working within tight deadlines and without compromising the quality of the work. I highly recommend her work, both individually and as a team, on any project that requires expertise in Conservation and Restoration. Working with her was a truly rewarding experience.”

    — Joana Marçal Grilo

    Gulbenkian Culture Production, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation

  • "The work of Isabel Zarazúa is of the most outstanding quality. For several times, and in different institutions, I had to use her expertise in restoration and conservation of paper works, or just counselling. In all the situations she had the best approach, analyzing the problems and finding the best solutions, either dealing with photography or drawing. Her capacity of explaining every step of the process has always been a guaranty of how reliable her interventions are."

    — Delfim Sardo

  • "Isabel has collaborated with Faz Parte on several projects that involve graphic support, and we have had very happy results. Our longest collaboration was on a conservation and restoration project of about 300 books belonging to the Banco de Portugal's antique book collection, where Isabel supervised the technical coordination. Her intensive search for best solutions regarding each specimen and the rigor of every intervention, are qualities that portray Isabel, and that is why Faz Parte appreciates her collaboration.”

    — Bruna Pereira de Oliveira

    Team Leader from Faz Parte Conservation and Restoration

  • "I was introduced to Isabel Zarazúa through a recommendation from a professional colleague at a public cultural institution renowned for its significant art collection, including works on paper by national artists. I sought her expertise to address improper handling and fixing techniques applied to drawings on paper by an artist I was collaborating with at the time. Since our first contact, Isabel Zarazúa responded promptly and cordially. She has solid knowledge in ​​conservation and handling of paper objects. I confirmed the efficiency, seriousness and clarity with which she carries out the proposed tasks and challenges. Creative in her search and application of knowledge, Isabel adjusts methods and techniques to each specific situation. Certainly, a professional that I respect and recommend.”

    — Denise Cunha Silva

    Independent exhibition producer and cultural programmer

  • "My encounter with Isabel Zarazúa Astigarraga took place in 2008 at the José de Figueiredo Institute, where we shared various experiences and interests in ​​conservation and restoration, with a special collaboration between 2018 and 2022, when we developed work on Asian composite objects. Throughout this period, I was able to highlight her specific skills in the area, always searching for solutions to complex problems, and always available to share knowledge or deliberate more appropriate solutions. I would also like to emphasize her unwavering generosity, team spirit, and professional determination. I wholeheartedly recommend her specialized work, as she is an outstanding professional."

    — Ulrike Körber

    Conservator-Restorer of Asian furniture and lacquers

“With decades of specialized experience, my focus is on finding the best solution for each project, each work and collection in storage or exhibition environment.”