Valorising works of art in their context to help reading the different historical-artistic stratifications
The restoration of the splendid painted Cross kept in the Ghelli Museum of San Casciano Val di Pesa and attributed to the so-called “Master of San Lucchese” has recently begun.
The artist takes its name from the place where most of his paintings were found, namely the Convent of San Lucchese in Poggibonsi. His works are now distributed all over the world, only a few remain in Italian museums or churches.
The painter is considered a follower of Giotto, active between 1330 and 1380 around, and is still largely to be studied, despite being recognized as having a high artistic value.
The artwork brought to the Florentine laboratories of Atelier, that, thanks to the restorer Angela Matteuzzi also followed its journey from the Museum to Florence, will be subject to a restoration accompanied by scientific investigations, all non-invasive.
This project, possible thanks to the funds made available by the “Firenze Restaura” tender of the CR Firenze Foundation, aims to be the beginning of a course of study on the artist and the diagnostic campaign that will initially support the restoration, is also designed to be useful for the historical-artistic study.
The diagnostic study will include multispectral investigations in UV Fluorescence, Scanner Reflectography, Radiography and analysis of the painting palette by XRF. These investigations will allow a more correct evaluation of the cleaning phases, of the genesis of the work and of the artist’s painting technique. The intervention will be followed by Dr. Anna Floridia, territorial official of the Superintendency.
The Councilor for Culture of the Municipality of San Casciano, Dr. Maura Masini, highlighted how this intervention is part of a broader program of conservation and enhancement of the heritage preserved at the Ghelli Museum, likewise Dr. Matteuzzi, director of the Museum, emphasizes how the link between the territory and the community is to be strengthened by preserving and enhancing its heritage.
In our opinion, the enhancement of such museums of the “Territory” is the ideal way to educate visitors to appreciate works that would be otherwise lost in larger collections. The rhythms of the smaller museums allow visitors to enjoy a more intimate and sincere dialogue with the works on display.
Local museums can be great disseminators by organising exhibitions of high scientific value that deal with the artistic expression of the area.
With this Restoration & Diagnostics project we wish you all a year of “cure” and “discoveries”
