35-TE-2007_Venaria, Reggia, P. D. Olivero (attr.), The miracle of the Blessed Sacrament in the Piazza del Grano in Turin: the fall of the donkey, inv. RP 264 (property of the Piedmont region)

Facilitated description:

 

The painting the miracle of the Blessed Sacrament in the Piazza del Grano in Turin: The fall of the donkey is an extraordinary event that took place in Turin.
Among the people there is a donkey fallen to the ground. The host (piece of bread symbol of the divinity) carried by the donkey instead of falling to the ground remains raised.
Pietro Domenico Olivero painted the painting in 1753.
The painting is kept at the Reggia di Venaria.
The La Venaria Reale Conservation and Restoration Centre restored the painting in 2007 for the reopening of the Reggia di Venaria.
The restorers cleaned the painting from dust, yellowed paint layer and non-original colored parts.
They filled the color gaps with watercolors and paints.
Eventually they painted the painting to protect it from the sun's rays and dust.

 

 

 

 

Abstract of the intervention:

 

The painting was entrusted by the Piedmont Region for the preparation of the Reggia di Venaria. The restoration was carried out on the occasion of the inaugural exhibition The Royal Palace of Venaria Reale and the Savoy. Art, magnificence and history of a European court  (Reggia di Venaria, 12 October 2007 - 30 March 2008).

Restoration

The intervention began with the aspiration of inconsistent deposits from the support. At the level of the pictorial film, the altered paint, retouching and repainting have been selectively removed. The existing groutings have been maintained and adapted to the texture of the work. After the application of a first layer of paint, the chromantic integration of abrasions and grouting was made with watercolor veils and varnish finishes. Finally, a final protective varnish was sprayed. 

 

Bibliography 

C. Arnaldi of Balme, Sheet 4.40, n The Royal Palace of Venaria Reale and the Savoy. Art, magnificence and history of a European court, edited by E. Castelnuovo (catalogue), Turin, Allemandi, 2007, p. 89.