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Sistine Chapel's Last Judgment Undergoes Restoration Due to Visitor-Induced Calcium Buildup

cultural-heritage · 2026-03-21

Michelangelo's fresco 'The Last Judgment' in the Sistine Chapel is undergoing restoration to remove a white film of calcium lactate caused by tourist sweat and humidity. The 16th-century mural, last cleaned in 1994, has seen its colors dulled by these deposits. Experts are conducting the careful cleaning to restore the artwork's original appearance, addressing preservation needs for this cultural heritage site in Vatican City.

Key facts

  • Michelangelo's 'The Last Judgment' fresco is being cleaned
  • A white calcium lactate film from tourist sweat has obscured the artwork
  • The fresco dates to the 16th century and was last restored in 1994
  • Restoration aims to revive the mural's faded colors
  • The work is located in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • Sistine Chapel

Locations

  • Vatican City

Sources