55mc05-TA-2017_Turin, Museo Civico d'Arte Antica - Palazzo Madama, D. Ferrari, Madonna enthroned with the Child between two holy martyrs, inv. 439-D

Facilitated description: 

 

The Madonna Enthroned with Child between Two Holy Martyrs is a painting on a wooden table.
Defendente Ferrari painted the painting in 1500-1505.
The work is kept at the Civic Museum of Ancient Art in Turin (Palazzo Madama).
The La Venaria Reale Conservation and Restoration Centre restored the work in 2017 thanks to the contribution of the Compagnia di San Paolo.
Scientists at the Venaria Center did scientific analysis and found that the work was larger in height.
Scientists also found that the drawing under the paint was done with a metal tip.
They analyzed the colors and found that the colors used for the skin of the characters were sprayed and not spread with the brush.
The restorers cleaned the work and eliminated the yellowed varnish (protective layer over the painting).
They filled the missing color parts with a layer of putty (plaster and glue). They colored the putty.
They painted the painting to protect it from the sun's rays and dust.
They eventually placed the painting in an anoxic chamber, an oxygen-free chamber that serves to eliminate wood-eating insects.

 

 

 

Abstract of the intervention:

 

The restoration of the Madonna Enthroned with Child between Two Holy Martyrsi, inv. 439/D is part of the project The professions of restoration. Studies and research for the conservation of wooden furniture and paintings on wood aimed at the knowledge and conservation of the works of Defendente Ferrari and Gerolamo Giovenone and launched in 2014 by the ‘La Venaria Reale’ Conservation and Restoration Centre (CCR) with the support of the Compagnia di San Paolo. 

Restoration

The diagnostic campaign, which preceded the restoration, highlighted several aspects: digital radiography has highlighted the scaling of the work in height, the infrared investigation has revealed the method of composition of the work (construction lines engraved in the preparation with a metal tip) and second thoughts. In addition, the collection of samples made it possible to reconstruct the colour palette and to identify the state of degradation of the materials and a particular executive technique for the yield of volumes and models, especially of the complexions, based on the application of nebulisation colour to create a nuanced effect.
The chromatic alteration of the work and the unclear conservative history were the main reasons for the restoration. Therefore, the intervention provided for the cleaning and removal of the layers of yellowed and uneven surface paint, while, on the basis of previous studies, it was decided to maintain the layer of protein paint in the area of the Virgin's mantle in order not to compromise its conservation. Then the plastering, the pictorial integration and painting were carried out to limit the disturbances due to the conservative events. Finally, specific interventions were carried out to consolidate the support and disinfestation in the anoxic chamber to prevent the attack of xylophagous insects. 

 

Bibliography

T. Cavaleri, G. Ferraris di Celle, M. Gargano, P. Manchinu, B. Ventura, Defendant Ferrari: from drawing to artistic technique. The restoration of the Madonna Enthroned with the Child between two holy martyrs of Carmagnola, in Madama's Palace. Studies and news. Magazine of the Civic Museum of Ancient Art of Turin, Year V, No 4/2020, pp.122-141;