Restoration of Alcignaroli Altarpiece to Be Discussed at Lonato Event
Tomorrow at 9 PM, at the Cinema Teatro Italia of Lonato located on Via Antiche Mura, there will be a meeting regarding the significant restoration work carried out on the altarpiece of the Duomo’s main altar.
This initiative is part of the Week of Cultural Heritage, promoted by the Soprintendenza for the provinces of Brescia, Cremona, and Mantova, and by the Ministry of Culture and Heritage. It involves the presentation of significant restoration projects within the territory of the three provinces funded by the state.
For several years, the surface of the painting showed signs of aging, and its condition had recently worsened, especially due to the detachment of large flakes of paint, raising concerns about potential loss or severe damage.
Given the considerable expense and the difficulty of intervening on a painting of this size — never before restored — two years ago, the Soprintendenza ai beni ambientali e architettonici di Brescia intervened urgently to minimize damage by sealing the painting.
The surface was protected with Japanese paper, applied with animal glue, to prevent the falling of paint flakes.
Analysis and Restoration Project Interventions
«Very small samples of paint — explains Laura Paola Gnaccolini from the Soprintendenza — allowed the Institute of Physics of the Politecnico di Milano to analyze the pigments and binders used by the painter.
Based on this information, a detailed restoration plan was developed by the Soprintendenza ai Beni Storici e Artistici of Brescia, Cremona, and Mantova, which made progress this year thanks to the dedicated government funding.
Alongside the restoration work, research was conducted on the documentary material related to the artist and the commission, and both technical and stylistic studies of the painting were carried out.
This evening will report on all these findings, including some new insights into the Alcignaroli altarpiece commission. The audience will follow the various stages of the restoration process through the projection of slides taken by the restorer during the work.