Accademia di San Luca opens public restorations of two neoclassical masterpieces
In Rome, the Accademia Nazionale di San Luca has initiated a public campaign for the restoration of Bertel Thorvaldsen's "Venere con la mela" (1813) and Luigi Bienaimé's "Telemaco" (circa 1835). This effort will involve both research and community participation. The restoration of Bienaimé's "Telemaco," which illustrates the son of Ulysses and Penelope, is set to be carried out by Gabriella Caterini and Carola Tavazzi, with opportunities for the public to view the work on March 5 and 25 at 5 PM. Thorvaldsen's "Venere con la mela," presently stored away, is slated to be displayed again in the Galleria dei Gessi. The campaign may also include two bas-reliefs donated in 1844, pending necessary approvals.
Key facts
- Accademia Nazionale di San Luca launches public restoration campaign for two neoclassical works
- Bertel Thorvaldsen's 'Venere con la mela' (1813) and Luigi Bienaimé's 'Telemaco' (ca. 1835) are the focus
- Restoration of 'Telemaco' open to public on March 5 and 25, 2026, at 5 PM, free entry
- Restorers: Gabriella Caterini and Carola Tavazzi of Artificia Consorzio
- Another replica of 'Telemaco' donated to Accademia di Carrara; marble version at Hermitage Museum purchased by Tsar Alexander II in 1839
- 'Venere con la mela' was in storage, will be reintegrated into Galleria dei Gessi
- Campaign may extend to two bas-reliefs by Thorvaldsen: 'Alessandro sul carro' (1812) and 'Priamo supplica Achille' (1815)
- Bas-reliefs donated in 1844 by Thorvaldsen's executors, pending Soprintendenza authorization
Entities
Artists
- Bertel Thorvaldsen
- Luigi Bienaimé
- Gabriella Caterini
- Carola Tavazzi
- Alessandro Torlonia
- Tsar Alexander II Romanov
Institutions
- Accademia Nazionale di San Luca
- Artificia Consorzio
- Accademia di Carrara
- Museo Ermitage (Hermitage Museum)
- Galleria dei Gessi
- Palazzo Torlonia
- Quirinale
- Soprintendenza
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- Carrara
- Saint Petersburg
- Russia