A new Sacred Art section of the Ghelli Museum, a little gem, was inaugurated in San Casciano Val di Pesa.
The succession of speeches, from the Mayor to Dr. Anna Floridia, representative of the territory for the Superintendent, then to Father Antonio Lari, director of the Office of Sacred Art for the Diocese of Florence, and finally to councilor Maura Masini and director Nicoletta Matteuzzi, retraced the history of the Museum and emphasized its importance in the territory.
Everyone highlighted the role of small museums in the territory, originally Museums of Sacred Art, born not for tourist purposes but as places of welcome, to safeguard works orphaned from parish churches or small churches scattered throughout the Tuscan hills. To preserve their sacredness as objects and reflect on their cultural value in the artistic language of a specific period and context. Works of the territory for the territory that we have the duty and honor to preserve.
The decision to create a new exhibition was driven by the elements underlying the Faro Convention, namely being part of the cultural life of citizens and wanting to engage with travelers. We are not in major tourist centers, with museums boasting staggering visitor numbers, but in a reality that allows for a more leisurely and contemplative observation of a work, providing the opportunity to dedicate oneself to every detail.
The museum is now equipped with everything possible for conservation monitoring, such as humidity sensors, “special lamps” to prevent infestations of xylophagous insects, and new lighting.
In the Ghelli Museum, one can admire masterpieces of artistic expression such as Coppo di Marcovaldo, Ambrogio Lorenzetti, and Lippo di Benivieni.
The oldest work is a beautiful carved pillar depicting scenes of the Nativity of Christ by the Master of Cabestany, active in the 12th century.
Among the works that receive renewed valorization is the painted cross attributed to the Master of San Lucchese. This work underwent a complex restoration by the Atelier Restauri laboratory in Florence and an important diagnostic campaign conducted by us at Art-Test. We remember with great pleasure this restoration, which can now be admired by all, for the synergy between all parties involved: Superintendent’s representative Dr. Floridia, Museum Director Dr. Nicoletta Matteuzzi, restorers Angela Matteuzzi and Lucia Cioppi from the restoration laboratory, and us at Art-Test.
It was truly exciting to follow the entire conservation process and the valorization that affected this work, from the initial reflections made with the restorers to propose a sustainable diagnostic project, to the new placement within the museum route.
The museum route also includes the Chapel of the “Madonna del Suffragio” with its furnishings, where you can find a canvas copy of the famous Pala Pucci! (And who knows what we might see with a reflectography!)
The Museum of San Casciano Val di Pesa is well worth a visit, as are all the museums in the area that animate local communities and play a fundamental role in the conservation education of citizens, starting with the youngest.
A small note: the entrance to the Ghelli Museum is the municipal library, not by chance!
