Rendering 1

The article published on the website of the newspaper “New York Times” on February 22, 2013 is headlined “As One Renaissance Door Closes, Others Open”. This article reports at length about the second-floor apartment of the Pontifical palace which was painted by Raphael and will be opened for visitors over the next few weeks. Raphael, an artist and an architect, painted frescos in four rooms where the pope conducted his business. Begun in 1982, the restoration was carried out one fresco at a time so that visitors could continue to see Raphael’s famed works.

The author of the article, Elisabetta Povoledo, assures readers that the restoration campaign brought new insights into how Raphael worked, including how he transferred his drawings from a nearly nine-yard-wide cartoon onto the walls, the methods he used to apply plaster, how quickly he painted and the organization of his workshop. What is more, Arnold Nesselrath, delegate for the scientific department and laboratories of the Vatican Museums, compared Raphael with Michelangelo and evaluated Raphael’s frescos higher.

It is necessary to point out that during the restoration some beans were found in inside a small hole in the fresco of the “Fire in the Borgo”, painted from 1514 to 1517. It is appeared to be an interesting fact for historians and gives new information about Columbus’ expeditions.

Analyzing the situation, it is necessary to note that restores believe that significant traces of the earlier frescoes remain, including the fresco attributed to the Renaissance artist Lorenzo Lotto, who had been drafted by Julius II before Raphael was brought in.

In conclusion the author gives some information about other projects such as the restoration of the Borgia apartments and the Room of Constantine, a huge banquet hall whose frescoes were designed by Raphael. The Rev. Mark Haydu, the group’s international coordinator, said that it would be impossible without the help of the Patrons of the Arts as they help to fund restorations and keep the Vatican beautiful and attractive.

From my point of view, the problem of saving cultural heritage nowadays is very vital. It is wonderful that there are people who are trying to carry down masterpieces of the Past because should not deprive our progeny without such pure and magnificent beauty.

Link http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/23/arts/design/30-year-restoration-of-raphaels-frescoes-in-vatican-is-done.html?ref=arts&_r=0