CCR La Venaria Reale Turns 20: A Model for Modern Art Conservation
The Centro Conservazione e Restauro La Venaria Reale (CCR), one of Italy's top three restoration hubs, celebrates its 20th anniversary. Founded in 2005 within the restored stables of the Reggia di Venaria, the CCR combines nine specialized restoration labs, advanced scientific laboratories, and a university-accredited school. Under the direction of chemist Federica Pozzi, the scientific labs use infrared, ultraviolet, laser, and X-ray diagnostics, including a unique CT scanner for large artifacts. The center has restored works by Andy Warhol, Cy Twombly, and Alberto Burri, as well as Egyptian mummies, the Ellesiya Chapel, and a Fiat 500. Secretary General Sara Abram emphasizes restoration as a process of knowledge, not mere aesthetic recovery. The CCR also offers preventive maintenance for the Reggia and Stupinigi, and trains international staff, including a recent team from AlUla, Saudi Arabia. Anniversary events from March 17–23 include public talks on Notre-Dame and Rembrandt's Night Watch, a roundtable with founding members, and open lab visits. A December 2025 conference will honor former director Pinin Brambilla Barcilon, who led the restoration of Leonardo's Last Supper.
Key facts
- CCR La Venaria Reale opened March 21, 2005, in the ex-stables of the Reggia di Venaria.
- It is one of Italy's three main restoration centers, alongside ICR Rome and Opificio delle Pietre Dure Florence.
- The center has 9 specialized restoration labs and a team of about 70 employees, 75% women.
- 25 students per year enroll in a 5-year master's program in conservation and restoration, with 94% employment rate after two years.
- Scientific labs directed by Federica Pozzi use infrared, UV, laser, and X-ray diagnostics, including a unique CT scanner for large objects up to 2 meters.
- Notable restorations include Andy Warhol's Marilyn Monroe silkscreens, Egyptian mummies, the Ellesiya Chapel, and works by Burri, Twombly, and Kiefer.
- All incoming artifacts undergo 21 days of anoxic quarantine.
- Anniversary events: March 17-23 with talks, roundtable, and open labs; May at Turin Book Fair; June Young Professionals Forum; December conference for Pinin Brambilla Barcilon's centenary.
- CCR provides preventive maintenance at Reggia di Venaria and Palazzina di Stupinigi.
- The center's library holds 40,000 volumes, and the Pinin Brambilla Barcilon photographic archive is being digitized.
Entities
Artists
- Andy Warhol
- Cy Twombly
- Alberto Burri
- Pino Pascali
- Carla Accardi
- Carol Rama
- Mario Schifano
- Anselm Kiefer
- Antonio Carena
- Filippo Juvarra
- Benedetto Alfieri
- Carlo Emanuele II di Savoia
- Pinin Brambilla Barcilon
- Leonardo da Vinci
- Rembrandt van Rijn
Institutions
- Centro Conservazione e Restauro La Venaria Reale
- Reggia di Venaria
- ICR Roma
- Opificio delle Pietre Dure Firenze
- Ministero della Cultura
- Regione Piemonte
- Città di Torino
- Città Metropolitana di Torino
- Città di Venaria
- Università di Torino
- Compagnia di San Paolo
- Fondazione CRT
- Museo Egizio di Torino
- MAO di Torino
- Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Studio Derossi
- Piuarch
- ADI
- Gufram
- Notre-Dame de Paris
- Salone Internazionale del Libro di Torino
- Artribune
Locations
- Venaria
- Torino
- Italy
- Piemonte
- Stupinigi
- Varallo
- AlUla
- Arabia Saudita
- Parigi
- Firenze
- Roma