Florence flood fragments transformed into art and design objects by Jean O'Reilly Barlow

Jean O'Reilly Barlow, founder of the magazine Interi, has created a collection of sculptural artworks from historical fragments recovered from the 1966 Florence flood. The fragments, dating from the 16th to 18th centuries, were originally decorations in Florentine churches and were severely damaged by mud and water, deemed unrestorable. Barlow incorporates minerals, shells, and other natural elements into the pieces, preserving original varnish and silt to maintain their history. The collection, titled 'Florence Fragments,' was exhibited at the Museo de' Medici in 2024 and is now available for purchase online via Interi, which offers 50 fragments including candelabras, stone bases, and wooden crucifix portions. The 1966 flood occurred on November 4 when the Arno River overflowed, submerging central districts like Santo Spirito and Santa Croce, reaching 3 meters in Piazza del Duomo, and causing 35 deaths. Cultural heritage suffered immense damage, notably Cimabue's Crucifix in Santa Croce, which lost 60% of its painted surface. Thousands of volunteers, known as 'Angeli del fango' (Mud Angels), helped recover artworks. The Opificio delle Pietre Dure at Fortezza da Basso conducted an innovative restoration of the crucifix, now displayed at the Museo di Santa Croce.