Giovanni Bellini's 15th-Century Altarpiece Undergoes Public Restoration at Gallerie dell'Accademia
A 1478 altarpiece by Giovanni Bellini, titled Madonna and Child Enthroned, is undergoing conservation at Venice's Gallerie dell'Accademia. The over 15-foot painting, originally for San Giobbe, features saints and represents a Renaissance shift to single altarpieces. Made from 13 poplar planks, it has cracks and discoloration. The $580,000 project, partially funded by Venetian Heritage, will stabilize, clean, and restore the artwork over two years, using imaging techniques to study its layers. After restoration, it will be displayed in a former church space within the museum. This public restoration follows similar projects like Rembrandt's The Night Watch at Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum.
Key facts
- Giovanni Bellini created the altarpiece around 1478 for Venice's church of San Giobbe
- The painting measures over 15 feet tall and consists of 13 horizontal poplar planks
- Restoration is occurring in public view at Gallerie dell'Accademia in Venice
- The $580,000 two-year project is partially funded by Venetian Heritage
- Conservators will use ultraviolet fluorescence and infrared imaging during restoration
- Previous analysis revealed preparatory layers including glue and white lead primer
- Once restored, the artwork will move to a former church space within the museum
- The painting has undergone approximately six restorations over the past 200 years
Entities
Artists
Institutions
- Gallerie dell'Accademia
- Venetian Heritage
- Rijksmuseum
- Morgan Library & Museum
- City Museum of Rimini
- church of San Giobbe
- London Times
- Artnet
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Amsterdam
- Netherlands
- New York
- United States
- Rimini