The Last Supper by Giorgio Vasari will be restored 47 years after the flood in Florence Automatic translate

LOS ANGELES. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the flood caused by the overflow of the Arno River in Florence, 1,546 flood-damaged paintings can be restored, all thanks to new restoration methods developed by experts specifically for such cases.

The last and most widespread victim of the devastating flood was the magnificent work of Giorgio Vasari, The Last Supper, first assembled from parts and now awaiting the final stage of restoration, namely restoration of the painted layer.

Giorgio Vasari - The Last Supper (in the process of restoration)

The Last Supper by Giorgio Vasari is written on five wooden panels, the total size of which is about 2.5 meters by 6.5 meters. The painting became the most affected art object that survived the flood. Dozens of people died and millions of antiques and works of art were lost forever when Arno spilled across Florence, causing the worst flood since the Middle Ages. In the following decades, new restoration methods were created to help save damaged masterpieces.

Vasari’s painting "The Last Supper" was completely immersed in water for about 12 hours, and then, under the water, its lower part was located. To help them dry out, soggy panels were separated. The surface was also badly damaged, but fortunately, the experts managed to prevent the paint from completely peeling off, after which the masterpiece would be lost forever.

The work remained unassembled for decades, as the experts were at a loss, not knowing whether it was possible to assemble it again. But this week in Los Angeles, the Getty Foundation, which sponsored restoration work, said: “For the first time in 47 years, the five wood panels that make up the legendary painting come together to form an entire work of art again.”

The restoration, which began more than three years ago, was carried out at the Opificio delle Pietre Dure (OPD) in Florence and was coordinated by Cecilia Frosinini, deputy director for painting conservation and restoration. “Now we can say that the painting can be completely restored,” she said at a press conference.

Although Vasari was best known as the author of the first great literary work, Lives of the Most Excellent Italian Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, he was also a recognized artist. The painter, architect and writer created his “Last Supper” in 1546, commissioned by a monastery in Florence.

In the 19th century, the painting was transferred to the Santa Croce Basilica, where it was exhibited at the time of the exit of the Arno River from its banks as a result of a large flood. Frosinini explained that the water changed the size of the panels and dissolved the plaster, which served as the basis for the application of paint.

When the area of ​​the drawing itself and the panels were measured separately, the experts found that the tree decreased by 3 cm. “This is a very big difference in terms of restoration and for a long time the idea of ​​restoration of this painting masterpiece seemed impossible,” she said.

The problem, in the end, was solved by separating the panels in those places where they were most affected by prolonged exposure to water. “Tiny pieces of wood were inserted into the resulting gaps, returning the panels to their original size,” says Forsinini.

To restore the adhesion of the surface, the experts used glue made from sturgeons, brought by the Russian experts after the flood to Florence. The panels were assembled with the help of one original Vasari crossbar and others specially created according to this model. The Last Supper is currently fully assembled and now the fund is looking for sponsors willing to finance the last part of the restoration work.

Representatives of the Getty Foundation said that the full restoration of the entire picturesque surface of the work will take, as expected, at least two years. Frosinini said: “Our dream is a completely restored painting in 50 years in 2016.”

Anna Sidorova © Gallerix.ru