Restorations Past & Present
While art ideals may be eternal, paintings , sculptures, frescos, tapestries, and historic buildings are sensitive to the ravages of time. The Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums (PAVM) mission is to restore and protect important works of art in the Vatican Museums. Following are descriptions of some of the current and completed restoration projects adopted by the Michigan Chapter.
Note: This icon will appear in places as a place-holder for pending images. 
Current Restorations
Adoration of the Magi Tapestry
Imagine you are living in the little village of Bethlehem in the year that King Herod insisted on having all descendents in the line of David come to your village to be counted in the census. Yes, there were rumors that a poor family from Nazareth had to set up camp in the innkeeper’s stable because there was no room for them in the inn. That lady was pregnant and gave birth to a baby boy. Just when the census visitors began to leave, the village is overrun by three kings and their caravans from far away nations. Naturally you rush to the innkeeper’s stable to see what it’s all about.
Fast forward about 1500 years and imagine you are an artist called Raphael and you are asked to create a cartoon for yet another grand tapestry. Naturally you want to do it and have some of your students work on it also. It is going to be an enormous project; an exciting project none-the-less. Not only do you have to capture the Holy Family in the stable and the guiding star, but there are the shepherds with their sheep, cows, dogs and cats, and all the townspeople who are so curious. The work will have to include the Three Kings, also called Magi, their staff, and all of their animals: camels, horses, fancy birds and even an elephant! What a fantastic piece or work!
Fast forward another 500 years and you are the Director of the Vatican Museums who uncovers a treasure, The Adoration of the Magi Tapestry! It is in very poor shape. Click here to read the Ongoing Restoration Report prepared by the PAVM staff. However, the Museum’s skilled weavers/restorers who recently finished restoring another tapestry sponsored by the Michigan Chapter of the PAVM are excited to take on this project. You too can be part of this tapestry’s legacy. Please consider making a DONATION to its restoration so that it may live another 500 years! Thank you.
Relief with Prometheus
Greek mythology has provided a treasure trove of material for the art world and this relief sculpture of the Greek Titan Prometheus is a fine example. Prometheus was the mythological titan or god of light, fire, forward thinking, and perhaps creation. This work was part of a marble sarcophagus carved in the 3rd century A.D. The restoration laboratory explains that Prometheus, the seated and bearded figure on the far right, is intent on molding a woman. Above are recognizable domestic animals; a donkey and a bull; there are men below. The scene includes the presence of the three Fates: Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos. They are advancing toward Anima, held by the arm of Mercury. The relief was found in Ostia and appraised by Ennio Quirino Visconti. It entered the papal collections during the pontificate of Pope Pius VI to be inside the Room of the Busts of the Museo Pio Clementine. MI-PAVM adopted the restoration in July 2023. An interim Restoration Report, October 2023 can be seen if you click here.
PAVM Wishbook 2024
The Board of Directors of the Michigan Chapter of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums invites you to view a downloadable copy of the 2024 PAVM Wishbook of projects awaiting restoration. Please consider selecting one to sponsor!
The Papal Graham-Paige Type 837 Popemobile
The first ‘Popemobile’ used by a pope to travel outside the Vatican was the Graham-Paige Type 837 limousine, built in (of all places!) Detroit, Michigan. The automobile was presented to Pope Pius XI by the Graham brothers in 1929. The Graham Paige automobile is currently housed in the Vatican Museum Carriage Gallery, awaiting restoration. It is only fitting that the Michigan Chapter of the PAVM adopt this project. A restoration plan is being developed and will include a US tour of museums and places of interest, including the Detroit Institute of Art. CLICK HERE to learn more. Click on one of the images below to launch the slide show.
Twelve Bronze Artifacts
Twelve artifacts in bronze are being restored thanks to the generous donation of Michigan Patron Cristina Cameron. The Vatican Museums’ restorers tell us that the twelve bronze items belong to the category of instrumentum domesticum; a category that includes the vast and varied set of items that illustrate everyday life in the ancient world. Ten of the pieces are in the collection of the Profane Museum, and two are in the Christian Museum.
Most of these objects are, in fact, from the height of the Roman period. However, one item, the kyathos (inv. 65659) stands out as being datable to between the III and IV centuries B.C.
CLICK HERE to learn more.
The Papal Graham-Paige Type 837 Popemobile
The first ‘Popemobile’ used by a pope to travel outside the Vatican was the Graham-Paige Type 837 limousine, built in (of all places!) Detroit, Michigan. The automobile was presented to Pope Pius XI by the Graham brothers in 1929. The Graham Paige automobile is currently housed in the Vatican Museum Carriage Gallery, awaiting restoration. It is only fitting that the Michigan Chapter of the PAVM adopt this project. A restoration plan is being developed and will include a US tour of museums and places of interest, including the Detroit Institute of Art. CLICK HERE to learn more. Click on one of the images below to launch the slide show.
Twelve Bronze Artifacts
Twelve artifacts in bronze are being restored thanks to the generous donation of Michigan Patron Cristina Cameron. The Vatican Museums’ restorers tell us that the twelve bronze items belong to the category of instrumentum domesticum; a category that includes the vast and varied set of items that illustrate everyday life in the ancient world. Ten of the pieces are in the collection of the Profane Museum, and two are in the Christian Museum.
Most of these objects are, in fact, from the height of the Roman period. However, one item, the kyathos (inv. 65659) stands out as being datable to between the III and IV centuries B.C.
CLICK HERE to learn more.
Completed Restorations
Four Icons from the Vatican Collection
This restoration project was adopted by the MI-PAVM in 2021 through the generosity of the Chiara, Pastore, and Hale families. It involved the restoration and study of four icons from the Vatican Collection. In order, the icons are:
- Triptych: Madonna and Child, so-called ‘Virgin of the Sign’ with Saints Peter and Paul and two Angels
- The face of Christ with’ Fiery Eyes’
- Icon of the Dormition of the Virgin
- Icon of the Holy Trinity with the Twelve Feasts
Three of the works are currently part of the permanent exhibition in Room XVIII (known as the Hall of Icons) of the Vatican Pinacoteca. The fourth icon has been displayed at the Tower of St. John XXIII in the Vatican Gardens. Among these icons, two works (in the center) have metallic silver coverings, the riza. Please click on the image of each icon to learn more about the work and the restoration process.
The conservation of the pieces was provisional both for the state of the painted surface and the metal riza. It was necessary to separate the riza from the wood panels to determine possible damages due to the contact between the two materials (wood and metal).
Structural consolidation could only be provided after the disassembly of the riza, followed by the cleaning of the metal riza covering. Chromatic restoration of the painted surface was then completed and careful analysis will be carried out.
A pictoral review of the restoration process is provided in this final report.
Five Icons from the Tower of Pope John XXIII
The Tower of Pope John XXIII is located on Vatican property. The Five Russian Icons that were subject of this restoration were located in the Tower and include:
- Icon with Our Lady of Yaroslavl
- Icon Triptych with Christ Pantocrator between Saints Olga and St. Peter
- Icon with Our Lady of Kazan
- Icon with Our Lady of Vladimir and Eight Saints
- Icon Triptych with Deesis (above)
The restoration project for these Icons included research into their rich historical journey as well as their physical restoration. CLICK HERE to read the Final Report on the restoration of the icons along with the original images and interim report.
Four Marble Artworks from the Niche of the Apollo del Belvedere
The Octagonal Courtyard of the Vatican Museums is home to many marble artworks and is a must-see for Patrons touring the Vatican Museums. The four marble artworks subject to this restoration project are located in the Niche of the Apollo del Belvedere in the Octagonal Courtyard and include:
- A Neoactic relief of two female figures and a bull (above)
- The front of a Continuous Frise Sarcophagus
- A Statue of Athena Promachos
- A Statue of a Female Figure
Images and descriptions of this restoration project are provided–click here.
Raphael Tapestry: The Blinding of Elymas
The great Italian Renaissance artist, Raphael (1480-1520), was commissioned by pope Leo X in 1515 to create a series of designs for tapestries that would hang on the lower walls of the Sistine Chapel. There were ten works in all depicting the Acts of the Apostles. The Michigan Chapter with the generous support of the Stange Trust adopted this multi-year restoration project. In honor of the 500th anniversary of Rapheal’s passing this and the other tapestries were displayed in the Sistine Chapel in the spring of 2020. On April 30, 2021 we were delighted to learn that the restoration of the tapestry was complete and the work was being moved to a permanent display place in the Pinocoteca of the Vatican Museums. CLICK HERE to learn more.
Raphael Painting: Coronation of the Virgin, the Oddi Altarpiece
Michigan Chapter Patrons Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gusmano are the sponsors of this recent project to restore the Raphael masterpiece, Coronation of the Virgin. The painting was performed for the altar of the Oddi family chapel located in the church of San Francesco al Prato in Perugia, Italy, between 1503 and 1504. Referred to also as the Pala degli Oddiand The Oddi Altarpiece, the work was restored in part as a tribute to Raphael and in remembrance of the 500th anniversary of his death. The painting is on display in the Vatican Museum’s Pinacoteca Room VIII along with Raphael’s Madonna di Foligno and Transfiguration. CLICK HERE to learn more. CLICK HERE to view larger restored image.
Sistine Chapel Fresco: Events in the Life of Moses by Botticelli
Can you imagine the world without the Sistine Chapel? Neither could the newly organized Michigan Chapter of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums. That is why, in 1999, the Michigan Patrons took on the responsibility of raising funds for the restoration of the Botticelli fresco in the Sistine Chapel. CLICK HERE to learn more about the history and restoration of the precious work.
Restoration of the Vatican Gardens: Madonna della Guardia
This dramatic project was sponsored by Michigan Patrons Mr. and Mrs. William Brewis and involved restoration of a portion of the Vatican Gardens that includes the Shrine of Our Lady of the Guard. The shrine was originally donated to the Holy See by the city of Genoa to honor their own son, Pope Benedict XV in 1917, and to reduce his homeland nostalgia. CLICK HERE to learn more.
The San Damaso Courtyard Fountain
The San Damaso Fountain is in the Apostolic Courtyard which is used for access by visiting dignitaries. CLICK HERE to learn more.
The Borgia Apartments by Artist Pinturicchio
The Borgia Apartments are a suite of rooms in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican adapted for personal use by Pope Alexamder VI (Rodrigo de Borgia) in the late 15th century. The Pope commissioned artist Pinturicchio fo decorate the walls and vaulted ceilings of his apartment. CLICK HERE to learn more.
Female "Bundu" Costume
This rather unusal artifact is located in the Ethnological Museum Gallery of the Vatican Museums. It is a ritual costume worn by the female Sande secret society of the Mende people living in Sierra Leone, West Africa in the 19th century. CLICK HERE to learn more.
The Candlesticks on the Pope's Altar
Located in the Pauline Chapel in the Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father’s private chapel, the altar candlesticks were restored by the Michigan Chapter of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museum as part of the $4.6 million restoration and restitution of the chapel. CLICK HERE to read more.
Madonna & Child with St. Jerome and St. John the Baptist
This 16th century oil on wood altar piece by artist Marco Palmezzano was restored thanks to the generosity of the Stange Charitable Trust through collaboration with the Michigan Chapter of the PAVM. CLICK HERE to read more about the history of the piece and restoration process.
Chinese Embroidered Silk Tapestry
This rich Chinese imperial artifact of colorful silk embroidery and gold leaf detailing depicts the family clan of Emperor Xianfng, whose name means universal prosperity. CLICK HERE to learn more.
In addition to the restoration projects described above, the Michignan Chapter PAVM has funded the following:
- Three Crucifixes Restored from the Barocchi Crucifixes Collection. Funded by Tony and Suzanne Rae.
- Ten Beautifully Decorated Glasses. Funded by Dr. Miguel and Irene Lis-Planells
- Constantine Monogram. Fundedby Michael Marz and Bethe Moore
- Sandstone in Sarcophagus Lid. Funded by the Michigan Chapter
- Slaves and Workmen Carrying a Colossus in the Swamp Barocchi. Funded by the Michigan Chapter
- Wrestling the Beasts in the Coliseum. Funded by the Altigs Family (now with the Washington NW Chapter)
- Camassei’s Cain and Able. Funded by the Altigs Family (now with the Washington NW Chapter)
- Statue of Perseus. Funded by the Altigs Family (now with the Washington NW Chapter)
Please feel free to Contact Us to learn more about these restoration projects and to find out about other projects in need of funding.